A Missouri deputy sheriff left his gun loaded and unattended at a family gathering last week, and his 2-year-old nephew found it and shot himself.

Ferguson Police spokesperson Pat Washington said the St. Louis deputy, who was not identified, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Washington said the child wasn’t taken to the hospital until after police arrived on March 17.

Washington told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the boy was in critical but stable condition after his hospitalization on Saturday. KDSK said the child was released from the hospital later in the week.

Ferguson Police detective Sammy Numan told the station the gun was the deputy’s service weapon.

“Children don’t understand what guns are capable of and when they have it within reach, they’re often curious,” he said. “They want to play with it. They want to touch it. … Unload your guns. Invest in some gun locks.”

“I will hold you to a higher standard because you’ve been through the training. You know the danger that’s associated with guns,” Numan added.

St. Louis Sheriff Vernon Betts, who is running for re-election, released a statement to the Post Dispatch through his campaign manager assuring the public “our prayers are with the family of this young man who was tragically injured.”

We are praying for his complete recovery,” he said. “This tragic accident is exactly why I mandate weapons safety training and safe storage including gun locks.”

None of the local media agencies said whether the deputy had been suspended or placed on leave.

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