Man, 22, Accused of Improperly Storing Gun, Leading to 'Completely Preventable' Death of 4-Year-Old Girl By Toria Sheffield

A man in Michigan has been charged after a 4-year-old girl fatally shot herself.

The Lansing Police Department (LPD) responded to reports of a shooting at a home in Lansing on Wednesday, Jan. 21, according to a news release obtained by PEOPLE from the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office.

per Cleveland 19, Fox 47 and Arc West Michigan.

Upon arrival, authorities found a child “suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,” per the release.

The 4-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene, despite attempts to resuscitate her by first responders. Police said that the gun used in the shooting had been improperly stored, ultimately enabling the child to obtain it.

The LPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’S request for comment.

Maliki Pendergrass, 22, has since been arrested in relation to the incident, and he has been charged with multiple felonies, including a safe storage violation that resulted in death and weapon possession by a prohibited person, according to the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office.

Pendergrass has a past felony conviction for armed robbery and was not legally permitted to possess a gun, records show.

His relationship with the child is currently unknown. Pendergrass’ bond is set at $1 million, per the records.

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“This child’s death was completely preventable and would not have occurred had the firearm been safely stored as required by Michigan law, using a gun lock or gun safe,” Ingham County Prosecutor John J. Dewane said in a statement.

“One life lost is one too many, and we must do everything in our power to protect our children from preventable tragedies like this,” he added.

Pendergrass’ next court date is scheduled for Feb. 6, records show.