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Accidental shooting of Milwaukee girl, 2, leads to discussion of gun safety

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MILWAUKEE — A costly mistake leaves a Milwaukee mother facing homicide charges after police said she shot her 2-year-old daughter.

“It’s the saddest thing in the world,” said JaLee Vernado, a resident who lived near the scene of the crime.

Sunday, after investigating, Milwaukee Police said the child’s mother, Jasmine Daniels, admitted to accidentally shooting her daughter as she played with a gun inside the house.

Daniels was eventually charged with first-degree reckless homicide for the shooting.

“You should never be cleaning or handling a gun in the presence of a child,” said Reggie Moore, Director of the city’s Office of Violence Prevention.

Moore said accidental shootings usually are some of the most preventable.

“Regardless of the situation, a child in our city is dead. Unfortunately, 4.3 million kids in our county live in a household where a loaded, locked firearm is present,” Moore said.

The office has published a gun safety guide for owners, but Moore said he’s looking into more ways to educate gun owners in the city about firearm safety.

“We definitely believe there’s a significant need for gun safety and training given the fact that we have so many firearms in our community,” Moore said.

Moore is also urging people who know gun owners with children to speak up about safety.

“The greatest peacemakers, the greatest interveners are in our neighborhoods. If you know or have a friend who has children and a firearm. Have that conversation and send that reminder," Moore said.

The Milwaukee Health Department offers free gun locks to people who may need them. For more information visit this website.

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