Neighbors React To Accidental Shooting That Killed BA Toddler

A 2-year-old boy is dead after accidentally shooting himself.

Police in Broken Arrow say the child got a hold of his parents gun late last night and shot himself just below the chest.

The neighbors are in shock and say explaining to their children what happened is heart-wrenching.

Police hope this tragedy reminds parents to make sure their guns are safe and locked away.

When Samantha Tattershall heard what happened inside a home in her neighborhood, her heart ached and she had to take a walk.

"I was just saying some prayers for this family, taking a walk just clears my mind," Tattershall said.

3/12/2014 Related Story: 2-Year-Old Broken Arrow Boy Dies In Accidental Shooting

Police said a 2-year-old boy shot himself around 9 p.m. Tuesday with a small-caliber handgun.

The gun belonged to his parents and investigators believe it is legally registered, according to officials.

Police also said one of the child's parents and a few other adults were home at the time of the shooting.

"I just can't imagine going through what they're going through," Casey Smith said.

Smith lives across the street and has three young children.

"My husband and I, we talked about it and we prayed about it together just for them to have their sanity and be at peace with it," Smith said.

Police still are trying to determine how the child was able to get a hold of the gun and then pull the trigger.

Smith said her husband has a gun, but they're very careful to make sure it's safe from her kids and that they know to stay away from it.

"If it's not on his person, he has it somewhere where the kids can't reach it and we've told them, 'If it is out in the open it's not a toy, don't touch it, don't mess with it,'" she said.

Smith said the tragedy has spurred her and some of the neighbors to get together with their kids and talk to them about gun safety.

Police said it's also a very good idea to encourage other gun owners to do everything they can to keep their guns safe from kids.

"Please protect your children by keeping any firearm in your home secure, whether or not that's locked up in a safe, trigger guards, whatever you need to do but make sure it's safe," BA Police Cpl. Leo Calhoun said.

Police will present their investigation to the Wagoner County District Attorney's O, which will then decide if anyone should face charges.