A California father is facing criminal charges after his 2-year-old child found a loaded, unsecured firearm and shot themselves dead on Friday, authorities said.
Police officers responded to a Merced home at around 4 p.m. and tried to save the toddler, who was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
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The child’s father, Zaquan Woodard, was arrested and charged with child endangerment resulting in death and great bodily injury to a child under 10 years old.
“This heartbreaking incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of securely storing firearms to prevent access by children,” police said in a statement.
