A 9-year-old Knox County girl was killed by a shotgun blast Thursday when the weapon her brother was cleaning accidentally went off, state police said.

The girl was watching television when she was shot, according to a news release.

The girl was rushed to the Knox General Hospital but was pronounced dead. The accident happened in the Cannon community.

State police responded at 1:49 p.m.

The girl's brother is 12 years old. State police did not release the names of the children. Hopper Funeral Home in Barbourville is in charge of arrangements for an Ambria Dunn, 9, of Cannon, whom a spokeswoman said is the child.