A 2-year-old boy who fatally shot himself with his father's gun is the son of a Cleveland police officer.
Authorities said the father of the child is 54-year-old Jose Pedro, a 23-year veteran of the police force.
Officers were called to a home in the 3800 block of Library Avenue around 10:30 a.m Friday for a report of a child shot.
The child was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center for surgery, where he later died.
The preliminary information indicates that the child obtained the officer's service weapon and shot himself.
It is unclear how the child got hold of the weapon or what type of gun it was.
There are currently no service weapon storage guidelines or rules within the Cleveland police department policy or manual.
Police spokesman Det. Reginald Lanton said officers follow state law when it comes to securing their weapons in ensuring service weapons don't fall into the wrong hands.
According to the Division of Police Manual or Rules, section 5.13 states that "Officers shall use or handle their firearms only in a safe, proper, and authorized manner."
The shooting remains under investigation.
