A California father has been arrested after his 2-year-old child found a loaded, unsecured gun and killed themselves with it.

Merced Police said they and medics were called to the scene at about 4 p.m. on Friday and immediately began life-saving measures, but the toddler was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, KMPH reported.

The father was charged with child endangerment resulting in death. Police did not release the father’s name, but jail records show that Zaquan Woodard was booked Friday evening on two counts, child endangerment resulting in death and great bodily injury to a child under 10 years old.

He’s being held on $135,000 bond.

“This heartbreaking incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of securely storing firearms to prevent access by children,” the police department said.

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[Featured image: Pixabay]