2-Year-Old Fatally Shoots Self While Playing With Loaded Gun

A 2-year-old boy in North Carolina found a loaded handgun in his father's car and accidentally shot himself while playing, which resulted in the toddler's death, according to authorities.

Deputies of the Johnston County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) responded to a call of a child suffering a gunshot wound at a home on West Watson Road in the McGee's Crossroads Community shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday, The News & Observer reported.

Authorities discovered Warren Bennett Oser at the scene with a gunshot wound to his body.

Both of the boy's parents, identified as Emily and Tyler, were also present.

The child was rushed to Johnston Medical Center Clayton, where he died from his injuries, a report by ABC 7 Chicago said.

There were no other reported injuries.

Detectives later determined that Oser had climbed into his father's pickup truck through an open door and found a loaded gun.

Oser was reportedly playing with the firearm when it went off and injured him.

The JCSO considered the death an "unfortunate accident," according to the force's release.

An investigation is ongoing.

No one has been charged in connection to the incident as of Monday morning, WRAL-TV 5 reported.

The JCSO will submit its report to the district attorney, who could choose to file charges over Oser's death.

Johnston County District Attorney Susan Doyle will bring charges should the report find that criminal statutes were broken, she said.

It was unclear who owned the gun that killed Oser.

Following the incident, Lt. Donald Pate of the JCSO discussed the importance of proper gun storage.

"[I'd] advise you to keep your guns stored separate from ammunition," Pate was quoted as saying by WRAL-TV 5.

The JCSO also urged gun owners to use gun locks on pistols and to store firearms in a safe or lockbox.

Community members have launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Oser's parents.

"We're having to raise money for a funeral we never expected," a family member told WRAL-TV 5.

The campaign has raised $9,910 out of its $20,000 goal as of writing.

North Carolina firearm death rate for children doubled between 2019 and 2020, according to the North Carolina Child Safety Task Force.

The task force previously recommended the funding of a $155,000, two-year statewide firearm safe storage awareness initiative.