Texas boy, 4, killed when barbecue pit shaped like gun falls on him

A 4-year-old boy died Tuesday when a steel barbecue pit fell over onto him at a home in Liberty County.

The incident occurred about 1:50 p.m. in the 200 block of County Road 4893, according to the Liberty County Sheriff's Office.

Heartbreaking.... 4-year-old in Liberty County was crushed when a gun shaped BBQ grill tipped over on him. pic.twitter.com/n6X1aqegls — Tim Wetzel (@KHOUTim) February 11, 2016

Deputies said when a patrol deputy arrived at the home, the boy's distraught mother said her son, Bryan Jara, had been injured when the pit fell onto him. He was rushed to San Jacinto Methodist Hospital in Baytown, where he was pronounced dead.

The woman, deputies said, told investigators she was inside the residence doing chores while Bryan went outside to play. Then she heard a thud, went outside and saw him pinned beneath the fallen barbecue pit.

BBQ pit shaped like a gun tipped over and killed a liberty county boy. pic.twitter.com/ZVRJitUR8p — Tim Wetzel (@KHOUTim) February 11, 2016

Deputies said it appears the boy had tried climb onto the pit and accidentally pulled it over onto himself.

KHOU-TV reports that the barbecue pit was a custom fabrication made to look like a revolver-style pistol, and was mounted on a metal base with wheels.

Deputies are investigating the case.