Toddler tragically dies after shocking find in bedroom drawer

A three-year-old has died after shooting himself in the head with a handgun he found in a bedroom drawer.

Family of James Kenneth Lindquester called emergency services to the home, in the US state of Oregon, just before 10pm Friday night (local time).

Police said the child had retrieved the gun from a bedroom end table and shot himself.

First responders worked to save James’ life at the scene before transporting him to hospital, but he was pronounced dead just before midnight.

Photo shows James with a birthday cake and sitting on the grass.
James Lindquester (pictured) shot himself after finding a gun in a bedroom drawer. Source: Washington County Sheriff’s Office

Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit and the Special Investigations Unit responded to the scene.

Their investigation is on-going, police said.

An autopsy will be conducted on October 10 at the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office.

James’ family released two photos of the toddler – one of him next to a cake on this third birthday, and the other of him smiling while sitting on the grass.

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