Allison Schneider was shot in her backyard at her home on Highway EE in Owensville. The shooting happened around noon on Monday.

She was with two others when a bullet struck her in the head. "A boy and a girl, brother and sister, came over to visit the victim and they went to look at a donkey that they have corralled out behind their house," said Gasconade County Sheriff Randy Esphorst.

While the three were looking at the victim's livestock, a neighbor nearby was practicing shooting with his 9mm handgun in his yard. He was aiming for a paper plate target in line of sight of the victim. A shot traveled 365 yards, striking the girl. "The male that was one of the three said that he heard what he thought was a popping sound and he saw the victim fall to the ground," said Esphorst. The other two children immediately took cover and were unharmed.

Owensville ambulance personnel were already on the scene when Gasconade County deputies arrived. The victim was flown by ARCH helicopter to St. Louis Childrens Hospital. She died Tuesday afternoon.

The community is in disbelief. "It's kind of a shame too knowing that I also have a 3 year old son myself. It's just awful to think about, losing a young one, especially so young, 3 years old," said Owensville resident Jeff Mades.

A neighbor, who did not want to be identified, said the shooter is often in his backyard "just firing around without a care." The Gasconade County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident to determine if the shooter will be charged.