A 3-year-old Indiana boy pulled a loaded, unsecured handgun out of his mother’s purse and fatally shot his 2-year-old brother.

Gary Police were dispatched to a hospital on word of the shooting, and officials offered thoughts and prayers for the family.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the loved ones of the two-year-old child who was so tragically taken from our community,” Gary Mayor Jerome A. Prince and Police Chief Anthony Titus said in a joint statement.

Gary Police Commander Sam Roberts said that investigators were working with the Lake County prosecutor to determine if any charges would be filed.

“We do criminal investigations, and then we present that to the Lake County prosecutor, who makes a decision whether it’s negligence or an unfortunate accident,” Roberts told WLS-TV.

Roberts said the shooting took place inside a Gary home. The mother told investigators she left the bedroom, where her purse held the loaded, unsecured handgun, and while she was out of the room, the older boy took out gun and shot the toddler.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.

[Featured image: Shutterstock]