HALL COUNTY, Ga. -- A Gainesville woman is dead after being shot by her son. Mary Bailey, 52, was sleeping nearby when her son discharged his AK-47 early Tuesday morning.

Hall County Sheriff’s authorities said the case is still under investigation but based on their preliminary investigation, they said it appears to be an accident.

“To make a long story short, I shot my mother,” Derrick Bailey told Channel 2’s Rachel Kim.

Derrick Bailey, 19, said out of boredom, he began to clean his AK-47 around 2 a.m. Tuesday. His mother, Mary, was sleeping on a sofa nearby.

"It was like a removing of the clip, then I placed it on the side. She was on the right side, and in my attempts to hold onto it, it went off. I didn't even know it was loaded,” said Derrick.

The gun went off and hit Mary in the upper body.

"She told me to call 911 so that's what I did. Naturally, I was trying to keep her with me, keep her alive,” said Derrick.

Mary was rushed to the hospital but died of her injuries a short time later.

"I'm sorry about what happened,” said Derrick. Mary's son said it’s difficult to accept what has happened but he’ll always remember her for her love and character.

The sheriff’s office told Channel 2 toxicology tests are being conducted. When the results come back, authorities will present the case to the DA for a final review.