Boy, 9, shoots and kills his 2-year-old brother in North Hills

A 9-year-old North Hills boy accidentally shot and killed his 2-year-old brother in what police are describing as a tragic accident.

Los Angeles police said they responded to a shooting in the 16700 block of Parthenia Street about 5:50 p.m. Friday and found a 2-year-old boy with a single gunshot wound to the upper torso.

The boy’s 9-year-old brother told detectives he had accidentally shot the toddler while playing with a loaded firearm. The toddler was taken to a hospital, where he died shortly after arrival.

KTLA reported that the older boy had climbed inside a closet and found the gun. It is not clear whether the gun was inside a locked case. Police said no charges were pending.

Outside the family’s two-story apartment complex on Saturday, neighbors said the family of the boy had just moved into the building two weeks ago.

Inside, hardly anyone was seen walking around, and despite the hot conditions, no one was swimming in the building’s two pools.

Most residents did not want to comment when asked about the shooting.

“Not now,” neighbor Kenny Carillo said. “Not after what happened....I just hope all this dies out and things go back to normal. This has been hard on everyone here.”

“I couldn’t sleep last night,” said one neighbor who declined to give her name. “I have a granddaughter around that age. I pray for the parents, and for the child’s soul.”

ruben.vives@latimes.com