Girl Shot While Playing at Home

WESTMINSTER —  A 10-year-old girl was in critical condition Saturday after she suffered a gunshot wound while she and her friends were playing at the girl’s home in the 10100 block of Northampton Avenue, officials reported.

Police said the initial investigation suggested the shooting was accidental.

Westminster Police Lt. Philip Marshall said the child, who was not identified, was struck with a blast from a 12-gauge shotgun about 1:15 p.m. Saturday. He said police did not immediately have any details on the circumstances or who fired the shot.

The girl was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange, where she was reported in critical condition, Marshall said.

Capt. Craig Campbell, spokesman for the Westminster Fire Department, said paramedics found that the child had been shot in the groin area and was bleeding profusely.