Indiana father says daughter's shooting death was accidental

HOBART, Ind. (AP) - A northwestern Indiana man says the shooting death of his 9-year-old daughter was an accident.

The Post-Tribune (http://trib.in/2sQPMrx ) reports that 33-year-old Eric Hummel of Hobart called 911 on June 10 after shooting his daughter, Olivia Hummel. She died a half-hour later at a nearby hospital.

Authorities say Hummel inadvertently shot Olivia while teaching his sons to not play with guns. Hummel told authorities he didn't realize the gun was loaded when he pulled the trigger.

An autopsy report shows the girl was shot in the left upper forehead from a distance of about 2 to 3 feet.

Hummel faces charges including reckless homicide and child neglect.

Hummel's attorney Paul Stracci says the idea Hummel knowingly endangered his children is "ridiculous." Stracci says Hummell will plead not guilty to the charges.

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Information from: Post-Tribune, http://posttrib.chicagotribune.com/