PAYSON, Ariz. - Police said an
18-month-old boy is dead after being shot in the head by his 3-year-old
brother, reports CBS affiliate KPHO.
The boys were at a neighbor's
apartment in Payson, Ariz., on Tuesday when they found a semi-automatic gun
that belonged to the man they were visiting, according to the station. Police
said the toddler's 3-year-old brother picked up the weapon and pulled the
trigger.
Payson Police Chief Don Engler
said officers found the boy's mother carrying the wounded child in the parking
lot outside the apartment after they received several 911 calls about a child
with a head injury. The boy was pronounced dead after being rushed to Payson
Regional Medical Center, KPHO reports.
"The apartment that this
occurred in was a family friend of the mother and two children," said
Engler.
"The children had slipped
into another room unobserved by the mother and the 78-year-old occupant of the
apartment," Engler said, noting that the family had been visiting for
about 10 to 15 minutes before the shooting. "Even though many of our young
officers have children of their own, certainly it's difficult for our officers
in those circumstances."
According to KPHO, police have
not released the names of anyone involved in the incident.
Suzy Tubbs, the director of
Payson Community Kids, a nonprofit located across the street from the
apartment, said the young mother often visited with her two sons. "I was
always so impressed with a mom who wants to give back and help out.... [The boys]
were really cute, playing on the playground, playing hard, getting dirty...
typical little boys."
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