According to a spokesperson with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, Deputies responded to the scene of a shooting shortly after 5 p.m. yesterday (May 22) at an address on Reepsville Road in Vale. The victim is a seven-year old girl. She was shot in the face with a long gun.

Family members say the shooting was accidental. According to published reports, a juvenile family member shot the girl. Investigators are currently working to confirm the accidental nature of the incident and the identity of the shooter.

At last report, the child had been airlifted to a hospital in Charlotte with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. At this time, the Sheriff’s Office has no comment regarding any pending charges. The investigation is ongoing. No additional information is currently available.