Girl, 12, dies from gunshot while playing with gun in South Shore

A devastating incident took place on January 26, 2025, when 12-year-old Priscilla McCullough lost her life due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound while playing with her mother's firearm at their South Shore home. The tragedy unfolded around 6:50 p. m. when Priscilla was in the bathroom, handling the gun, which accidentally discharged and hit her in the abdomen. Her 11-year-old sister, who was in the kitchen at the time, went to check on her and found her lying on the floor.

The sister then brought the gun to their mother, who was bathing their 1-year-old sibling, and asked if the gun was real. The mother immediately applied pressure to Priscilla’s wound and called 911. Despite being rushed to Comer Children’s Hospital, Priscilla was pronounced dead at 7:24 p. m. The Cook County medical examiner's office reported that the initial autopsy was inconclusive, pending further studies.

This tragic event raises significant concerns regarding gun safety and storage practices in households with children, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and preventive measures.