An investigation has been launched into the tragic death of a teenager who was accidentally shot dead by her brother who was showing off his new gun.
Laura Natalya Rodriguez, 19, a university student in Texas’s north Houston died on the spot at her home after the firearm of her 18-year-old brother went off and hit her in the neck.
Houston police officers said the brother was showing off his gun went it went off in what investigators believe to be an accident, reported ABC13.
'It's a tragic situation for the entire family, and our thoughts and prayers are with them,' police officer said at the briefing.
The police said her parents were home at the time of the shooting. Her older sibling attempted to resuscitate Ms Rodriguez by administering CPR and called 911.
She was found dead at the scene, the authorities confirmed.
“Our homicide detectives are on scene of a deceased woman in a residence in the 100 block of Wellington St. in north Houston,” the police said in a tweet. "Officers were called about 1 pm. Prelim info is the female was shot as other family members were inside the home. No other info at this time."
The 19-year-old was a Senior at Syracuse University and had returned home because of coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the family is seeking help to pay for her funeral expenses and has launched a GoFundMe to raise $10,000.
The family said Ms Rodriguez loved Disney World, to laugh and have fun.
Syracuse University also issued a statement lamenting the loss of an “outstanding student" and said she was the first person in her family to attend college.
“It is with great sadness I write today of the passing of a member of our Syracuse University community,” said school’s associate vice president Marianne Thomson.
