An 11-year-old boy has been charged with murder after gunning down an eight-year-old girl in a row over a puppy, it has been reported.
The boy, who has not been named, is alleged to have shot dead McKayla Dyer close to her home in White Pine, in the US state of Tennessee, after she refused to let him play with her dog.
The alleged killer is said to have gone back to his house after the argument with the schoolgirl and shot her from inside with his father's 12-gauge shotgun, Jefferson County Sheriff Bud McCoig said.
Speaking through tears to WATE-TV, McKayla's mother Latasha Dyer said: "She was a precious little girl. She was a mummy's girl.
"No matter how bad of a mood you were in she could always make you smile. I want her back in my arms."
The boy was due to appear in court charged with murder today but the hearing was closed because he is a juevenile, the Associated Press reported.
