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Boy, 4, Accidentally Shoots, Kills Himself

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From a Times Staff Writer

A 4-year-old boy died of a self-inflicted bullet wound to the head Saturday afternoon after he accidentally discharged a handgun he found while visiting a Santa Monica home with his mother, police said.

George Anthony Gonzales of Alhambra died at Santa Monica Hospital Medical Center from a single bullet wound to the head, police said.

His mother, Maricel Gonzales, had put him to bed shortly before 1 p.m. while visiting a friend in the 700 block of Ashland Avenue in Santa Monica. The boy found a handgun next to the bed, police said.

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“The child awoke and began playing with a handgun, which had been concealed next to the bed,” said Sgt. Robert Legerski. “The gun accidentally discharged, striking the child in the head.”

Legerski said the incident has been ruled an “accidental shooting” and there are no plans to file charges.

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