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Boy, 2, dies after being shot by brother who 'thought gun was a toy'


A two-year-old boy has died after he was accidentally shot by his four-year-old brother who reportedly thought he was playing with a toy.

Tyler Aponte suffered a gunshot wound to his chest after his older brother gained access to the gun located in their Louisa County home in Virginia on Tuesday morning local time.

He was flown to UVA Medical Centre where he later died.

Police said the children’s mother was at home when the shooting happened but it was not clear how the older boy had access to the weapon.

Police were called to the Louisa County home on Tuesday morning after the two-year-old was shot. Source: WTVR News
Police were called to the Louisa County home on Tuesday morning after the two-year-old was shot. Source: WTVR News

The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office said the four-year-old boy thought the gun was a toy, according to US media outlet Fox 5.

“Our heart breaks for this family … they’re devastated, naturally, so we want to do everything we can to help them,” Major Donald A. Lowe told local media.

“It’s of paramount importance to make sure your guns are secured and out of the reach of children and everything.

“At least have them unloaded or a safety lock on them, whatever you have to do to keep them from being discharged accidentally.”