Three-year-old girl shoots her sleeping father in the US

Police are currently investigating how she got ahold of the gun

A three-year-old in the US shot her sleeping father in an accidental shooting on Wednesday, police say. The incident happened Wednesday night at a home in Wichita, Kansas. Police said the father was sleeping but woke up when he was shot in the leg by the child. The toddler was injured in the hand.

Wichita police say they're investigating how she got ahold of the gun and whether it could lead to any charges.

Three other children were taken from the home and placed into protective custody pending the investigation into the incident.

Neighbour and family friend Chuck Rivas said conflicting stories of the shooting had emerged. "I understand that he had it in his holster, and she reached up and grabbed it, and that's how she got shot, and it went through his leg," he told KWCH. Kansas is a permissive open carry state, meaning anybody 18 or over can open carry on their person. However, a pistol permit is required for handguns, and these are only issued to over 21s who have not been prohibited by law from possessing a firearm. Wichita police are now urging gun owners in the area to store their firearms unloaded and securely locked up when not in use to avoid incidents like this.