MAN CHARGED AFTER BOY, 9, SHOOTS SIX-YEAR-OLD SISTER

A PISTOL used by a nineyear-old boy to shoot his sister could have been loaded by the child himself.

The six-year-old girl is still in Cairns Hospital in a stable condition after the shooting incident on Friday night in Earlville.

Police charged a 47-yearold Earlville man yesterday with grievous bodily harm and a host of weapons offences including failure to keep weapon unloaded and secure and contravening licence conditions.

The man was also charged with unlawful possession of a category R weapon – which range from silencers and tasers to rocket launchers and machine guns – and possession of a telescopic baton.

Detective Acting Inspector Kev Goan said he would not comment on what the category weapon was but said the possession of firearms were unrelated to the man’s occupation.

“How he got the weapon is not of concern, what is of concern is he has a responsibility under the Weapons Act for safe storage and carriage of the weapon at all times,” Detective Acting Inspector Goan said.

“He was cleaning the weapon and instead of taking action, which was required by him by law, a child was able to find it with ammunition and enable it to be discharged.”

Detective Acting Inspector Goan said he could not comment on whether the Glock pistol had been loaded after cleaning by the man or another person, including the nine-year-old.

Police alleged the incident happened about 6pm on Friday after the man became distracted and left the weapon unattended in a bedroom.

It is believed the boy was playing with the weapon when it discharged, shooting his sister.

The man is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on June 13.