Whitley County toddler dies from gunshot

WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) – Whitley County sheriff William Elliote says he was called to a home around 9:30 a.m. to a report of a 2-year-old boy shot in the head.

The child was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Elliote says the boy was shot by another toddler, this one being only 3 years old.

“Any time you have children, it makes the scene a lot tougher to work,” he says. “Those are the images you don’t get out of your head for a long time.”

Local pastor Dustin Rife says they far too often face tragedies in their community.

Police say there were several children in the home, but they aren’t sure which one shot the boy.

The sheriff says the investigation is still in its early stages, so they are trying to learn more. He says they are going to make sure to take all of the proper steps.

He is also urging people to store weapons out of the reach of children.

The name of the toddler who died has not been released at this time.

Rife encouraged prayers for the community and the family.