The community was shocked Sunday to learn of a young child's sudden death. News and rumor quickly spread and the St. Clairsville Police Department issued a statement early Monday in response to inquiries.
"The only info we are releasing so far is there was an accidental discharge of a firearm that has resulted in the death of a 2-year-old boy," Police Chief Matt Arbenz said via email. He added that the address was 139 North Market St. He said the incident remains under investigation as of Monday.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is looking into the scene.
"Autopsy was completed (Monday)," Arbenz emailed later that night.
There were multiple social media posts on pages related to St. Clairsville following the accident, with many posters offering their prayers for the child and his family.
Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan did not speculate about whether charges might be sent to his office following the police investigation.
"It's way too early," he said. "It's way too premature."
He said the Ohio Revised Code has a wide range of statutes and potential charges that might cover an accidental shooting, but these possibilities and the level of charges are dependent on the circumstances.
"There is a million different scenarios that one can envision," he said. "There are a number of different scenarios that would need to be interpreted."
Numerous firearms safety sites such as the nonprofit safekids.org provide tips for firearm owners such as keeping firearms in a secure place with ammunition stored separately, as well as talking to children about the dangers of firearms.