A New Mexico teenager was charged with what appeared to be an accidental shooting of his younger sister Tuesday morning, police said.
A 17-year-old boy and his siblings were at home in Clayton getting ready for school when the boy "pointed what he thought was an unloaded handgun" at his 8-year-old sister, New Mexico State Police said. The boy pulled the trigger, and the little girl was struck in the head, police said.
The siblings tried to provide medical attention and called 911. The girl was taken to a local hospital and later flown to a hospital in Texas.
Her condition is critical, police said.
The teenage boy is alleged to have disassembled the gun and thrown it in a dumpster. Police said the firearm, which did not belong to anyone in the home, was recovered.
The teenager is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, negligent use of a deadly weapon and tampering with evidence.
NBC News is not naming the teenager because he is a minor. He is in custody at a juvenile detention center, and case records were not available in the court's online database.
It's unclear whether he has an attorney or whether he is being charged as adult.