Local

3-year-old killed in accidental shooting in Paulding County

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — Authorities in Paulding County are investigating a shooting involving a child.

Deputies say a 3-year-old got ahold of a Ruger LCP .380 caliber semiautomatic pistol and it went off, hitting him in the chest. %

INLINE

%

The shooting happened inside a home on Camp Circle and Dallas Acworth Highway around 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Deputies performed CPR and other life saving measures until Fire/EMS could arrive on scene.

The child was taken to WellStar Paulding Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

TRENDING:

The child lived with his parents and younger twin sisters.

Authorities say the wound is consistent with being both accidental and self-inflicted.

"Just a horrible station anytime you lose a child… Our hearts go out to the family,” said Paulding County Sheriff's spokesperson Ashley Hensen.

The family’s pastor says the boy was full of energy.

“As a 3-year-old boy he was full of energy from morning until night. One of his favorite things to do, he has a little inflatable castle he called it and it was a jumping toy that he would love to play on,” said West Ridge Church Pastor Paul Richardson.

As the investigation continues, right now police say it was an accident, of the worst kind.

“This is a great family and they experienced something terrible and they just need all of our prayers and support, for us all to together as one family for them would be the best thing,” Richardson said.

CLICK HERE for information on the Holston Cole Memorial Fund.