Parents charged after young child shoots, kills 2 siblings with unsecured gun, authorities say

ELLSWORTH COUNTY, Kan. (KWCH/Gray News) — The parents of a small child who allegedly shot and killed two siblings with an unsecured gun are now facing charges, investigators said.

The shooting happened at a home in Brookville, Kansas, on March 28.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) said investigators determined that a young child gained access to a loaded, unsecured shotgun before killing two siblings.

The age of the accused child was not released, but authorities have described them as “small” and “young.”

The siblings who died were 5 and 8 years old.

Despite life-saving measures by first responders, the 5-year-old died at the scene. The 8-year-old died at the hospital.

On Friday, the KBI confirmed that the parents are facing charges. Aaron French, 37, and Makayla French, 28, are charged with aggravated child endangerment.