Easter weekend was supposed to be a time of celebration and remembrance, but it turned into tragedy for one family.
Natavia Lewis was accidentally shot and killed Friday by her 21-year-old sister after the two found a firearm in a closet, according to family members.
Lewis was accidentally shot in the head.
The older sister thought the gun was not loaded, but it went off, striking Lewis in the head, according to family members who spoke to Fox4 Dallas.
It has not been made clear to whom the gun belonged exactly.
The Fort Worth Police Department believes the shooting was an accident, adding that no charges will be filed.
“They stated they were currently not looking at filing any charges,” said Bradley Perez, public information officer for Fort Worth Police, speaking to The Dallas Express.
Fort Worth Police responded to a shooting call at a home on Daniel Street in south Fort Worth Friday.
When officers arrived, they discovered Lewis suffering from a gunshot wound to the head, according to police.
She was pronounced dead.
A pink memorial to honor and remember Lewis has been set up in the home’s front yard.
This incident is not the first where someone gained access to a gun that was not properly stored.
Days earlier, a 2-year-old toddler in Arlington fatally shot himself after finding a gun in his older brother’s room.
It is the responsibility of the gun owner to store their firearm safely, and the State of Texas is running a Safe Gun Storage campaign to spread awareness.
There are a few good ways to store firearms, such as storing unloaded and secured firearms using a trigger lock, biometric lock, gun case, strongbox, gun cabinet, or gun safe, according to SafegunstorageTexas.com.
Other safety measures include storing ammunition properly and keeping others from accessing stored firearms, such as family, friends, children, or other visitors.