Cops: Georgia father shoots 9-year-old while cleaning handgun

A man accidentally shot himself and his 9-year-old daughter while cleaning his handgun, Henry County police said Wednesday.

The incident happened about 12:30 a.m. near Stockbridge, Henry County police spokesman Capt. Mike Ireland said.

"The weapon accidentally discharged, striking the father in the hand and then striking his 9 year-old- daughter in the leg,” Ireland said.

Both were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

No charges have been filed in connection with the incident, Ireland said.

Since Jan. 18, 2015, more than 20 children have died in accidental shootings in Georgia, an investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Channel 2 Action News found.

RELATED: ‘How can you blame a 2-year-old’ for finding and firing an adult’s gun?

In other news:

A Marietta firefighter died and two others were injured Monday after a driver suspected of driving drunk hit their car in Los Angeles, a police spokeswoman said.

Support real journalism. Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today. See offers.

Your subscription to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism.

Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism.
AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.

With the largest team in the state, the AJC reports what’s really going on with your tax dollars and your elected officials. Subscribe today. Visit the AJC's Georgia Navigator for the latest in Georgia politics.

Your subscription to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism. Visit the AJC's Georgia Navigator for the latest in Georgia politics.