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YOUNG WARD, Cache County — A 2-year-old boy has died after being accidentally shot by his 3-year-old sister.

The boy was shot in the stomach with a .22-caliber rifle Friday evening. He underwent surgery at Logan Regional Hospital and was later flown to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, but he died late Friday night, Cache County Sheriff's Lt. Mike Peterson said.

Investigators learned the the gun had been used by the children's father earlier in the day and was set down in the living room when he returned home, Peterson said. The gun was unloaded, but there were live rounds in the magazine, he said.

"We believe the 3-year-old had to manipulate the action enough to chamber a live round prior to the incident occurring," Peterson said.

The child’s parents and other family members were home at the time of the incident, which appears to be accidental, Peterson said.

Peterson did not know if criminal charges would be filed against the children’s parents, but said the Cache County Attorney will make the ultimate decision.

“This is a stark reminder of the importance of keeping guns locked up, you know,” Peterson said. “Anytime that we have guns in the home, and children, we just have to take extra precautions that they’re as inaccessible as they can be.”

The child’s name was not released.

More information will be posted as it becomes available. Stay with KSL.com, KSL TV and KSL Newsradio for the latest updates on this developing story.

Contributing: Brianna Bodily, Sandra Yi

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