Barrow County, Ga.— Barrow County is investigating the shooting of a 9-year-old girl that occurred yesterday around 6:00 pm off of Hwy 82 and Giles Road. The 9-year-old victim was shot by her mother’s boyfriend as he was handling a firearm and is currently being treated at the Atlanta Medical Center for Children. No charges have been filed.

Sheriff Jud Smith informed Reporter Jacob Blount today that the victim was shot right through her abdomen above her hip and today she is in critical condition. Police told us that she is in ICU after taking a turn for the worse today. We filed for an open records claim for the police report so we will keep you updated upon receiving the claim.

We spoke with Deputy Alan Dial, who was not on the case, but is the gun instructor for Barrow County. He teaches gun safety to officers-in-training at a shooting range to prepare them for field training. He told Jacob that everyone who owns a firearm needs to go through instructional training from a professional, whether they have a licensed firearm or not.