A 9-year-old boy was shot and killed Wednesday in LeFlore County, Okla., according to Kendall Morgan, the county undersheriff.
The 9-year-old boy was shot by his 12-year-old brother in the upper chest area, Morgan said. Authorities are investigating whether the fatal shooting was an accident.
The boy's family identified him as Joshua Lee Nun.
"Josh is something else," said the boy's mother, Wilene Carrell. "He was well-mannered. He always said 'thank you' and 'please'."
The incident occurred on Buck Creek Road near Panama.
"One of the siblings admitted he had the gun in his hands when it went off," Morgan said.
The shooting took place inside the home. Deputies are investigating how the child got his hands on the gun and why the children weren't in school, according to the LeFlore County Sheriff's Office.
"Kids woke up late, and she didn't take them to school because they were running late," Morgan said.
Johua's friends and family said they are relying on prayer to deal with his death.
"I love you, momma. It's beautiful up here," Carrell said.
Deputies said Carrell has a history with the Arkansas Department of Human Services, and they are factoring that into their investigation.
The children have been taken from their mother for the time being, according to DHS officials.
