Police Say 3-Year-Old Died After Shooting Himself While Mom Napped

This May 8, 2014 phowo shows a quick access handgun safe in Wichita, Kan. Most area sporting goods retailers and gun shops provide a variety of quick access handgun safes and lock boxes. (AP Photo/The Wichita Eagle,... This May 8, 2014 phowo shows a quick access handgun safe in Wichita, Kan. Most area sporting goods retailers and gun shops provide a variety of quick access handgun safes and lock boxes. (AP Photo/The Wichita Eagle, Mike Hutmacher) MORE LESS
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Police said a 3-year-old boy died Tuesday afternoon after accidentally shooting himself while his mother was napping.

Wichita, Kansas police Lt. Dennis Wilson told The Wichita Eagle it was believed the boy’s mother and her boyfriend were asleep when the child located a handgun and accidentally shot himself in the chest.

The mother and boyfriend called 911 when they were woken up by the gunshot around 5 p.m. local time, he said. The boy was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 6 p.m.

Wilson said four other children aged 5 and under were also present in the home when the incident occurred. No arrests were made although the mother’s boyfriend remained in custody nearly two hours after the shooting for questioning, according to the Eagle.

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