Police: 8-Year-Old Killed After Gun Falls to Floor, Discharges (Update)

Paulding County authorities have identified the victims in a fatal accidental shooting during the weekend in Dallas.

The incident resulted in the death of Sharia Lynch, 8, and wounding of her mother, Marsha Lynch, 45, police said. The incident happened just after 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at a residence on Fairview Drive.

According to the mother, a handgun fell to the floor and discharged, hitting the mother in the leg and the daughter in the head, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office said Monday morning. Detectives are still investigating exactly where the gun fell.

The girl was transported to an awaiting life-flight helicopter, but her condition worsened and she was re-routed to a local hospital. “Miss Sharia Lynch passed away while enroute to Paulding Wellstar Hospital,” PCSO Public Information Officer Sgt. Ashley Henson said in a news release.

The mother was taken to Floyd Medical Center in Rome, where she underwent surgery.

“At this point, detectives are still investigating this case and will speak to the victim and witnesses in more detail once the funeral has taken place,” Henson said.

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