Coroner: Fairhope child shot in head

Fairhope, Ala. (WALA) - Baldwin County Coroner Stan Vinson says 5-year-old Teela Murphy died from a gunshot wound to the head allegedly inflicted by her 17-year-old stepbrother, Christopher Smith.

Smith faces manslaughter charges and Judge Jody Bishop issued him a $50,000 bond. He is being charged as an adult but he has since been released from jail.

Fairhope police say at around 6 p.m. Thursday, 17-year-old Christopher Smith was handling a high-powered rifle when it discharged.

Fairhope police Sgt. Craig Sawyer said, "The two children were playing in the yard, a nearby mobile home approximately 90 yards away. The suspect was handling a rifle, a scoped hunting rifle, scoped high-powered rifle. The weapon discharged and struck both children with one round."

Police said those two children are 5-year-old Teela Murphy and a 3-year-old boy.

Baldwin County Coroner Stan Vinson said Teela died instantly from a gunshot wound to the head from what he believes was a .270 caliber hunting rifle.

Fairhope police say the 3-year-old boy is currently in critical condition at a local hospital.