Mom-of-five accidentally killed after kids find gun in her purse

A North Carolina mom was shot dead by accident after one of her five children found a loaded gun in her purse.

Gabriel Henderson, 25, was found dead in the back bedroom of her apartment in the lakeside town of Cornelius, 20 miles north of Charlotte, around 7 p.m. Monday, when cops responded to a report of a shooting, the Cornelius Police Department said in a press release.

Henderson’s youngest child was also shot and taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Officers came across a small semiautomatic handgun lying on the bed, which they believe the children found in their mother’s purse. It was not clear who had fired the weapon.

The only people inside the apartment at the time of the shooting were Henderson and her five children, according to police.

Four of the children were present in the bedroom as shots were fired, while Henderson’s oldest child was in the living room.

Police said the childrens’ names would not be released to protect their privacy.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to raise money for Henderson’s funeral costs and to provide financial support for her children.

“On February 15, 2021 Gabby lost her life leaving 5 young kids,” the campaign page says. “On behalf of Gabby’s family, her closest friends, and entire family, we appreciate the outpouring love, prayers and support shown over the past days and undoubtedly days to come.”

As of early Thursday, the campaign had raised $3,570 towards its $10,000 goal.