LAPLACE — A 5-year-old LaPlace girl was killed Saturday morning, the result of playing with a loaded handgun, authorities said.

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre identified the victim as Haley Moore.

Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence at 9:44 a.m. Saturday on Country Club Drive in LaPlace for a medical emergency.

The father of the 5-year-old girl reported his daughter shot herself while playing with a handgun. Emergency medical services transported the girl to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries this morning, authorities said.

Detectives said the handgun used in the shooting was unsecured in the residence.

The shooting is under investigation, and Tregre said the Sheriff’s Office will release additional information regarding the investigation at a later time.