The call came in from the the Brown Mills section of Pemberton Township, about five miles from Fort Dix, at 7:07 p.m., Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said.
The boy was rushed to the Deborah Heart and Lung Center, where he was pronounced dead of a gunshot to the head at 8 p.m., Coffina said.
“We believe the gunshot wound was self-inflicted,” the prosecutor said, “but the circumstances of the shooting remain investigation.
“We will provide updates as we learn more about this tragic incident.”
A gun violence protection group said the toddler’s death was believed to be the 21st accidental shooting of a child in the U.S. this year. Four victims died, the group Everytown reported.
The Brown Mills boy’s identity was temporarily being withheld while Coffina’s detectives investigate.
“We believe the gunshot was self inflicted,” he said.
READ MORE:
Burlington County Times: Boy, 4, fatally shot himself in PembertonCourier Post: South Jersey toddler dead from self-inflicted gunshot wound
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