A 2-year-old boy is dead after an accidental shooting by a 12-year-old family member in an East Palo Alto home Thursday night, according to police.
East Palo Alto police responded at about 11:10 p.m. to the 2200 block of Menalto Avenue for reports of an unconscious toddler.
Arriving officers found the boy in the arms of a family member and provided CPR to him. The boy was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, police said.
A preliminary investigation by police concluded that the toddler sustained a gunshot wound to his chest from the 12-year-old who was playing with a rifle in the garage of the home.
The 12-year-old was questioned and released to Child Protective Services along with five other family members, according to police, who said that no arrests have been made.
East Palo Alto Police say the 12-year old was "showing off" the 22-caliber rifle to his cousin, Andrew, when it fired.
Investigators are looking for Sergio Serrano Sanchez, whom they consider a "person of interest".
Local
Investigators tell NBC Bay Area.com's Damian Trujillo that Sanchez is the rifle's owner.
They says he is a family friend who used to live at the same home, until a couple weeks ago.
That's when they say Sanchez accidentally shot himself on the hand with the same rifle.
The family told Sanchez he or the rifle had to go.
Sanchez left, but apparently not with the rifle.
About the 12 year old, Star Grewe, the victim's mother, told Trujillo, "Everything was an accident. I have nothing against my cousin. Everything happens for a reason, too."
Grewe says she doesn't know Sanchez.
Grewe was living in Texas.
Her son Andrew was staying in East Palo Alto with his grandmother.
Grewe in the Bay Area arrived Thursday to visit Andrew.
The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office will review the case to determine if criminal charges should be filed, police said.
Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact police Detective Dave Carson at (650) 853-5957 or Detective Angel Sanchez at (650) 853-3144.
People wishing to remain anonymous can call the East Palo Alto police anonymous tip line at (650) 853-3477.
