A 2-year-old boy died Thursday afternoon in San Bernardino County after suffering a fatal gunshot wound, authorities said.
Deputies were called at about 5:27 p.m. to the 6900 block of Victoria Avenue in Highland, where they found the wounded toddler. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
The child was later pronounced dead at Loma Linda University Medical Center that evening.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Floria Orejel told The California Post that officials had opened a death investigation into the incident.
“Further details will be provided when they become available,” Orejel said.
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A photojournalist who was at the scene reported that the boy discovered the firearm inside a couch, took it outside and accidentally shot himself.
Footage from the Highland neighborhood showed yellow crime scene tape surrounding a home, with multiple law enforcement vehicles and a heavy presence of first responders nearby.
Authorities have not yet clarified where the child’s parents were at the time or whether anyone has been taken into custody. Orejel said additional updates were expected Friday.
Highland is a city a few miles east of San Bernardino with a population of about 57,000 people.
A study conducted with data spanning from 2003 to 2021 found firearm use was a leading cause of death among children and teens aged 0 to 17. A common circumstance involved the child or teen playing with the firearm or showing it off. The firearms involved were usually stored loaded and in an unlocked area.
