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4-year-old dies after accidentally shooting himself in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh community is mourning the tragic passing of a 4-year-old boy who Pittsburgh police say appears to have accidentally shot himself early Monday morning.

Family members have identified him to Channel 11 as Ajani Lane.

See photos of Ajani Lane submitted by family here.

“My heart just goes out to that family,” said Ella Rawlings of Pittsburgh.

Crime tape now stretches across the front porch of the East Liberty duplex—a place where neighbors say they would sometimes see Lane playing near a Spider-Man bike.

That bicycle is now a chilling reminder of how fragile life can be and to never take it for granted.

“First step is you’re shocked and then you get a little angry. Ya know what I’m gonna do is actually I’m gonna call my son,” said Alfonso Valerio of East Liberty.

Pittsburgh police were called to North Negley Avenue around 8:15 a.m. for a child with a gunshot wound.

When they got inside they discovered the 4-year-old boy, who had been shot in the face.

He was rushed to nearby Children’s Hospital in critical condition where he died a short time later.

“It’s so devastating around the holidays to lose a family member period. Let alone a child that is four years old,” said Rawlings.

Investigators believe early signs show the boy somehow got his hands on the gun and it went off.

He was at home with his grandparent when this happened.

Neighbors called this a senseless act of gun violence, and they’re praying for the family.

“‘May the soul of that child be in the palm of God’s hand. May you guys be able to push forward,” said Valerio.

Pittsburgh police are actively investigating this case.

At last check, no criminal charges have been filed.