TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — An investigation is underway in Taylorsville after a 3-year-old boy died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his own home.
Police said they received a call at around 12:15 a.m. from the Thornhill Park apartment complex near 5600 South Redwood Road.
In the 911 call, a parent reported that their child had suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found the boy suffered one gunshot wound and attempted life-saving measures on him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The boy's parents were present at the apartment at the time of the shooting and were supervising the child when the shooting happened, Taylorsville police told FOX 13 News.
It's still unclear how the gun went off and exactly where the child was shot, but police said the gun was not secured at the time of the shooting.
"We're just conducting our investigation interviewing witnesses and the parents at this time," explained Sgt. Aaron Cheshire.
Officials report there is no danger to the community at this point.
When the investigation is concluded, it will be presented to the District Attorney's Office for possible charges. Police said the parents could face a negligent homicide charge or something of that nature, but nothing is clear at this point.
The parents are being cooperative in the process and police expect the investigation to last several hours as officials try to figure out what led to the shooting.
Trina Schmidt lives in the same complex and became visibly emotional and in tears when talking about the incident. She said it really hits home for her as two of her seven grandchildren are the same age as the boy killed.
"My heart breaks for this family, that's all and just the loss, there's no judgment at all," she said.
Schmidt is a gun owner herself and says she keeps her firearm in lockbox and unloaded.
