A North Carolina man was in jail on Sunday after his 2-year-old daughter found a loaded handgun under the couch and shot herself to death.

Fayetteville police responded to a call at around 12 p.m. on Saturday and found Samarri Tyana Beauford suffering from a gunshot wound, according to WTVD. She was later pronounced dead at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

ADVERTISEMENT

Investigators determined that the 2-year-old found the .22 semi-automatic pistol under the family’s couch. The shooting occurred when she found the weapon while playing.

Melvin Andre Clark Jr., Beauford’s 22-year-old father, was arrested on Sunday on charges of involuntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Clark has previously faced four breaking and entering charges in 2011 and larceny charges, WTVD reported.

He was being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center in lieu of $50,000 bond.

Watch this video from WTVD, broadcast Oct. 20, 2013.

ADVERTISEMENT