6-year-old dies of gunshot wound

A 6-year-old boy died Wednesday morning after being shot in the head at his North Spokane County home the previous night.

An investigation into the shooting continues, said Cpl. Dave Reagan, spokesman for the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives are talking to the boy’s 11-year-old brother, and a search warrant was executed Wednesday morning at the Riverside community home.

The 11-year-old initially told deputies that an intruder had shot his brother, the Sheriff’s Office reported Tuesday night. That story was soon discounted by deputies.

The victim has been identified as Bradley Hanley.

The elder boy called medics to the home at 4115 E. Eloika Lake Road at about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday to report the shooting. The boys were home alone, officials said.

According to newspaper records, Bradley Hanley was the son of Matthew and Barbara Hanley.

The boys live with their father, who was working in Spokane at the time of the shooting, authorities reported Tuesday.

Bradley Hanley was taken by air ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center, where he was met by his mother.

Deputies recovered a .22-caliber rifle from inside the home, Reagan said. How the boys gained access to the rifle was not revealed.

Bradley Hanley was a kindergartner at Riverside Elementary School, where his brother also attends school. Parents in the Riverside School District received a letter Wednesday regarding the shooting.

“Our thoughts are with the family, and we extend our deepest sympathy during this tragic time,” the elementary school principal and district superintendents wrote. “Please keep them in your thoughts.”

Seven school counselors, plus interns, were providing support to students and staff Wednesday, said Riverside School District Superintendent Janet Kemp.

“We have a well-trained crisis team that pretty much worked all day with the students and staff,” Kemp said.

Substitute teachers were on hand for any teacher who needed time to step out of the classroom.

The middle school in the 1,800-student district was planning a breakfast for the elementary school staff, which was scheduled to be held this morning.

“People are just reaching out in so many ways,” Kemp said.