A handout photo provided by the New York Police Department January 18, 2013 shows a .22 caliber handgun, an ammunition clip and a flare gun that was found in the backpack of a 7-year old boy at a elementary school in New York Thursday.
A handout photo provided by the New York Police Department January 18, 2013 shows a .22 caliber handgun, an ammunition clip and a flare gun that was found in the backpack of a 7-year old boy at a elementary school in New York Thursday. REUTERS/NYPD/Handout (UNITED STATES - Tags: CRIME LAW)
A handout photo provided by the New York Police Department January 18, 2013 shows a .22 caliber handgun, an ammunition clip and a flare gun that was found in the backpack of a 7-year old boy at a elementary school in New York Thursday. REUTERS/NYPD/Handout (UNITED STATES - Tags: CRIME LAW)

Tragedy struck a young family because of a loaded gun left at home unlocked. A five-year-old boy from Elmo, Missouri, shot to death on Monday his nine-month-old brother who was in a playpen.

The tyke toyed with a .22 caliber loaded pistol that he found at the house of his grandfather. Upon seeing her baby wounded, the mother of the boys called 911, reports 9News.

Emergency services arrived at around 9 am and flew the injured baby to the Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, but he was declared dead before noon, said Nodaway County Sheriff Darren White.

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White said investigators believe the shooting was an accident. He added, "We don't have any reason to believe otherwise."

White added, "Right now there's nothing to indicate any foul play. It really looks like it was just a horrible, tragic accident," quotes Omaha.com.

The boy thought the gun was a paint-ball gun, he told his mother identified as 24-year-old Alexis Wiederholt. She is a resident of North Dakota and was just visiting with her four children her father who lives in Elmo.

The five-year-old is the eldest of her children.

Becky Kent, a neighbour of the kids' grandfather, said many Elmo residents are hunters, but most of them lock their weapons or keeps the unloaded guns and ammunitions in a separate room.

To contact the writer, email: v.hernandez@oldibtimes.com.au