A six-year-old girl was hospitalised after being accidentally shot by an eight-year-old boy in the Everest informal settlement in Springs, Ekurhuleni, on Sunday morning.

The shooting happened when the boy was playing with the girl at her home, and found a firearm under a pillow.

SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Themba Tshabalala says it is alleged that the boy was playing with the firearm when he fired a shot.

“A shot went off, injuring the victim on her right hand, and the bullet struck her in the shoulder, exiting her back on the right side.

“A 7.65mm cartridge was found on the scene. The girl was taken to Far East Rand Hospital for treatment,” says Tshabalala.

It is alleged that the firearm owner is an electrician who had come to fix electricity at the shack and left it there.

“Another man went to the shack to fetch the firearm after the incident, stating that he was returning it to the owner, who had since run away,” says Tshabalala.

No arrests have been made.

The police have opened an inquiry for attempted murder that will be registered due to the boy’s age.