Texas 3-year-old fatally shoots self in chest at birthday party

A 3-year-old boy in Texas died on Saturday after finding a loaded gun that fell out of a family member’s pocket and accidentally shooting himself in the chest, authorities said.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that deputies responded to a 911 call for a welfare check in Porter, Texas, and found the child with a gunshot wound. The unnamed boy later died.

Authorities said family members had gathered for the child’s birthday party and were playing cards when they heard a gunshot and discovered the child.

“The child was rushed to a nearest fire station where he succumbed to his wounds,” according to the news release. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of this tragic accident.”

It wasn’t immediately clear if an investigation would be launched over the shooting, or whether the unnamed family member who was in possession of the firearm would face charges.