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Neighbors pray for 4-year-old girl who St. Louis police say accidentally shot herself

"That's so sad. I hate to hear stuff like that. I just hope she makes a full recovery," said neighbor Veii Kauaria

ST. LOUIS — On Saturday, everything seemed to be pretty peaceful at CityView Apartments near 16th and Pine near Downtown St. Louis.

But at around 10:30 Friday night it was a much different story, said neighbor Veii Kauaria.

"There was some small commotion here. We're not really aware of what happened," said Kauaria.

Police said a 4-year-old-girl accidentally shot herself in her leg. She was listed as conscious and breathing when she was taken to the hospital Friday night.

She suffered a graze wound to her thigh.

RELATED: 4-year-old girl shoots self in leg in Downtown West

Police said the shooting happened inside an apartment.

"I feel really bad. I'm praying for her. That's sad," said neighbor Charlene Baker.

"That's so terrible. I'm so glad it didn't end up worse," said Kauaria.

Kauaria said he saw police escort a man, possibly in his early 20s, out of the building in handcuffs and into a police cruiser.

Kauaria said the man lives at the apartment building.

Meanwhile, police haven't said if the child actually lives in the apartment building. They also haven't said who else was inside the apartment at the time of the shooting and how the child got her hands on the gun.

On Saturday, a 5 On Your Side crew saw police officers back at the apartment building.

"You can't just lay stuff around like that," said Baker. "Guns need to be in a lock box, locked up."

"When it comes to guns, all I can say is safety first," Kauaria said.

Neighbors can't stop thinking about the injured child.

St. Louis police have not given an update on the child's condition. 

The report was listed as an accidental shooting with an injury. The police department's Child Abuse Unit responded to the scene Friday night and is handling the investigation.

Police haven't said if anyone will face any charges.

OTHER LOCAL STORIES

ST. LOUIS - Police released surveillance video in hopes of identifying the suspects accused of trying to rob a woman and then shooting her as she drove away Friday night. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said the shooting happened at about 1:22 a.m. at the intersection of Goodfellow Boulevard and Natural Bridge Avenue.

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