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A 21-month-old toddler who was fatally shot near St. Louis Tuesday found a handgun and shot himself, police said.

The child was taken to an area hospital and pronounced dead after being shot at around 1 p.m. in Hanley Hills, a village northwest of St. Louis, the St. Louis County Police Department said. Police said later Tuesday that the shooting was accidental. "Detectives believe the victim picked up a loaded handgun and shot himself," St. Louis County police said in a statement.

Police said officers made an arrest, but would not disclose that person's name or charges until the case is presented to prosecutors.

Update on child shooting from Utica: investigators believe the child picked up loaded handgun, shot himself. A suspect was arrested. — St. Louis County PD (@stlcountypd) August 26, 2015

The deadly shooting occurred just a week after a 9-year-old, Jamyla Bolden, was fatally shot as she did her homework in nearby Ferguson Aug. 18 after someone opened fired into her home through a window, NBC affiliate KSDK reported.

Hanley Hills is a village of about 2,100 people, according to U.S. Census data.

2 year old shot and killed...I'm at a lost for words. This should be bothersome to us all. So sad. My thoughts and prayers. — Lt. Col. Troy Doyle (@Tmann69) August 25, 2015