On July 17, 2023, at about 7:30 a.m., Sheriff’s dispatch received a call about a shooting at a residence in the 1100 block of S. Stagecoach Lane in Fallbrook. The call was of a 3-year-old accidentally shooting their 1-year-old sibling. Deputies arrived and confirmed a 3-year-old got ahold of an unsecured handgun. The family’s 1-year-old, whose name is not being released at this point out of respect for the family and the fact she is a juvenile, had a head injury. Fire Department personnel arrived on scene and transported her to Palomar Hospital. Despite lifesaving efforts, she was pronounced deceased at about 08:30 a.m.
The Sheriff’s Department extends our sympathies to the family and those affected by this death. Sheriff’s Homicide investigators are working to gather more information to determine the circumstances of the death. There are no outstanding suspects and there is no threat to the community. The investigation is ongoing.
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office has been notified of the incident and will be updated with our findings during the investigation. The Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
