6-Year-Old Girl Fatally Shot in Detroit

Police say the shooting happened with an unsecured gun inside a car.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A 6-year-old girl was accidentally shot and killed with an unsecured gun inside a car in Detroit on Monday, according to police. The shooting happened around noon at a strip mall while the girl was in the car with four other children while the mother went inside a restaurant to pick up an order. It's unclear if the girl shot herself or if another child fired the gun.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the importance of gun safety and the need for proper storage of firearms, especially when children are present. Michigan law requires gun owners to safely lock away their firearms if there is a minor present, but this law was not followed in this case.

The details

First Assistant Detroit Police Chief Charles Fitzgerald told reporters the 6-year-old girl was inside the car with four other children while the mother went inside a restaurant to pick up an order. That's when the girl was fatally shot in the head with what Fitzgerald believes was an unsecured gun in the car. It was immediately unclear if the girl had shot herself or if another child fired the gun.

  • The shooting happened around noon on Monday, March 2, 2026.

The players

Charles Fitzgerald

First Assistant Detroit Police Chief.

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What they’re saying

“These things are so preventable. We have safe storage for a reason to secure your weapons.”

— Charles Fitzgerald, First Assistant Detroit Police Chief (Patch)

What’s next

Police are investigating the shooting and plan to turn over their findings to the prosecutor's office for potential charges.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the critical importance of responsible gun ownership and proper firearm storage, especially in homes with children. It serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can occur when gun safety protocols are not followed.