Father held in shooting death of daughter

The father of a 6-year-old girl who died Monday morning after being accidentally shot in the head has been arrested and is under investigation of first-degree manslaughter. He is currently being held in the Snohomish County Jail and bail has been set at $250,000.

Richard Peters, 42, of Tulalip, told investigators that he had consumed multiple double-vodkas when the Colt Double Eagle .45-caliber handgun he was cleaning discharged, striking his daughter Stormy in the head, according to documents from the Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office. The girl was airlifted to Children's Hospital in Seattle where she died early Monday. Snohomish County Sheriff's Deputies were called to the home on the 4500 block of 83rd Place NW at approximately 7:30 p.m., Sunday, after receiving a report of an accidental shooting.

According to the documents, Peters said he sent his daughter up to his room to get his gun. She brought the gun down, handed it to him and he took the magazine out. He then pulled the trigger and the gun went off.

On Monday, grief counselors were at Quil Ceda Elementary where Stormy was a first-grader. The Marysville School District sent a letter home with students Monday which stated, "The impact of this tragedy will be felt differently by each child. As a parent you will know best how to support the child as he/she works through the shock, grief and fears in facing death." The letter also including a list of tips to help the children and their families deal with the tragedy.

Members of the Marysville School Board spoke of the shooting at Monday night's regular meeting. "This is really a tragedy," said Board member Don Hatch. "Each and everyone of us will meet that little girl in heaven."

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