A toddler playing with a gun in the backseat of a car accidentally shot and killed his mother this weekend.

The fatal incident took place outside a grocery store in Dalton, Illinois, on Saturday, WLS reports. While the car was in the parking lot, a 3-year-old boy sitting in the backseat got his hands on a loaded gun. While the boy was playing with the gun, it discharged and his mother was shot in the neck. She was pronounced dead a short time later.

The boy’s father was also in the car and was unharmed. The report indicates the man may face criminal charges.

Following the tragedy, Andrew Holmes, a Dolton trustee and crisis responder, went to the supermarket and handed out 400 gun locks to customers.

“This could have been prevented,” Holmes said, reportedly explaining to the news station how to use the gun lock. “All it takes is a second. Unlock (the gun lock.) Thread it through the barrel, bring it back around, put it in and lock it back. If you leave it, secure it.”

The deceased woman has not been identified. CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.

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