GREAT FALLS, S.C. — A 2-year-old boy was shot and killed at a home in Chester County on Wednesday, officials said.
The shooting happened at a home on Washington Street in Great Falls, according to the Chester County Sheriff's Office. The toddler was taken to MUSC Medical Center in Lancaster where he died from his injuries.
Multiple agencies responded to the home, including Great Falls police and Chester County EMS. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is now working on a joint investigation with Great Falls police to determine what happened.
Great Falls Police Chief Olen Martin said the shooting involved an unsecured gun.
"The investigation at this point is focused on how an unsecured firearm was accessed," Martin said in a statement. "It’s a very tight-knit, small community. People are very supportive of one another. Any loss is tragic, but especially with a child of this age," he continued.
Officials confirmed a 7-year-old child was placed in emergency protective custody of South Carolina's Department of Social Services pending further investigation.
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