LENOIR COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – A 12-year-old boy was killed Thursday night after he was accidentally shot by his sibling, according to officials in one Eastern Carolina County.

This is the third accidental shooting involving children in Lenoir County this year.

According to Lenoir County Schools officials, Za’dok Clark was the boy who, according to the sheriff’s office, was shot in his chest by his sibling.

Deputies were called around 7:00 pm to a home northwest of Kinston.

“Our deputies arrived on the scene first, and they performed CPR. Then EMS arrived, and they performed CPR for about 45 minutes,” said Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers.

After the lifesaving measures, Za’dok Clark was pronounced dead.

“It’s horrible. We’re losing a generation to gun violence, and it doesn’t have to be this way. We have a real problem with unsecured guns in our state,” said Becky Ceartas, the Executive Director of North Carolinians Against Gun Violence.

On January 5th, a teenager was shot by their toddler sibling and recovered. Nine days later, a three-year-old boy was killed when he shot himself with a handgun.

“If you got guns in the house or go outside shooting or anything, you need to practice gun safety, I encourage you to take a course on gun safety, especially around kids,” said Sheriff Jackie Rogers.

Ceartas says lawmakers need to take action to help keep guns locked up and out of the wrong hands.

“Guns are now the leading cause of injury death for kids in North Carolina. We want to emphasize to members of the General Assembly that they need to do everything they can to protect our kids,” said Ceatas.

Right now, this case is still under investigation, and it’s unknown if anyone will face charges.

A spokesperson for Lenoir County Public Schools says Clark was a student at Contentnea-Savannah K-8 school. Their crisis management team was available Friday to offer counseling and support.