The older boy was playing with his mother's loaded gun at the family's third-floor apartment in New Jersey when he accidentally shot his brother in the head, Connie Jackson, a city spokeswoman, said.
The boy was taken to University Hospital in Newark where he was pronounced dead yesterday, a hospital spokesperson was quoted as saying by CBS News.
The boys' mother, 22-year-old Itiyanah Spruill, was arrested later and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and a weapons violation. She was being held on USD 310,000 bail.
"This is crazy because they should have a safe place," Vania Limage, a neighbour, was quoted as saying.
"Because that's been going on in the news over and over, where you hear about those incidents going on. So people should not have a gun around a four-year-old and a six-year-old," Limage said.
City police and investigators with Essex County's Major Crimes Task Force were investigating the shooting.
The incident was the latest in a slew of shootings in the US involving toddlers.
A 5-year-old girl in Detroit last month died after she shot herself with a gun she found under her grandmother's pillow.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
