Merced police investigating accidental fatal shooting of 5-year-old girl
A Merced father remains in custody after his son got his hands on a gun and shot his 5-year-old sister by accident, police say.
Police said officers at 2:27 p.m. Thursday responded to a report of a gunshot heard in the 1600 block of East 26th Street.
Officers went to a residence on East 26th Street, the site of the crime scene, but they also received a report the gunshot victim was dropped off at Mercy Medical Center Merced by the father, identified as Rodney Matthews, 44.
Matthews daughter was pronounced dead. He was seen leaving the hospital, and officers tried stopping him, but he refused to pull over, resulting in a high-speed pursuit.
Matthews eventually stopped and was taken into custody, police said.
Police have not released the age of the boy who shot his sister.
Matthews was arrested and booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of child endangerment resulting in the death of a child, felony reckless driving while evading officers, and being prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Detective Sergeant Solis at 209-385-4703 or by email at solisl@cityofmerced.org.
