Lieutenant Bobby Martin said the department will conduct its own investigation to determine the home life of the child.
Martin said it is unknown whether more charges will be filed against Derrick Mayo, 32, and Marke Parker, 18.
Thus far Mayo has been charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, storing a weapon in a manner which is accessible by a minor, conspiracy and simple possession of marijuana.
Parker faces the storing of a weapon and conspiracy charges, Martin said. Mayo was released on $15,500 bond and Parker on $2,000 bond. The men have September 1 court dates.
In a news release, Martin said Deputy Joe Puhak arrived at 106 Beech Court in the Weldon housing projects shortly before 6 p.m. and found several people screaming and upset in the home. Mayo and Parker were among the individuals there.
Puhak discovered a child had been shot and located and secured the weapon that was discharged.
The two men charged were home with the children when the shooting occurred, Martin said.
Shortly after 7 p.m. Monday the two men were escorted from the house for questioning and were charged. “Both suspects were what we would describe as being severely upset with the situation,” Major Bruce Temple said.
Mayo was crying as Temple and Puhak led him to a patrol car.
People sitting outside the apartment next to 106 said they didn’t hear anything or know what happened.
Crying could be heard from inside the apartment and at one point there was anguished sobbing coming from inside.
The weapon, a .308 bolt action rifle, was allegedly stored in an upstairs closet in Mayo's room. The children discovered the weapon and the gun discharged, fatally wounding the four-year-old.
The child was taken to Halifax Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.
The men told investigators they found the gun Sunday in an unknown location at the edge of the woods.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has been notified to trace the history of the weapon, Martin said.