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2-year-old who shot himself with his father’s gun dies

A 2-year-old boy died early Tuesday, almost three days after he shot himself with his father’s gun in West Valley City.

Police responded to a “shots fired” dispatch at 2700 S. Fair Isle Lane at 11:45 p.m. Saturday, and discoved the boy bleeding from the head and neck. The boy’s father, Tasman Maile, 27, told police the child got his gun and shot himself with it.

The boy was flown to Primary Children’s Hospital, where he had been on life support

According to West Valley City police, Maile said he fell asleep and left the gun where the boy could get it, and the safety was not on. He also told police he disposed of two other guns and marijuana, which was recovered from a nearby dumpster, before they arrived.

West Valley City police Lt. Amy Maurer said that Maile had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, obstruction of justice, possession of a weapon by a restricted person and drug possession.

The case is expected to be screened by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office as soon as Tuesday, said West Valley City police Lt. Jeff Conger.

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