Rockford man charged after 6-year-old son shoots and kills himself with loaded gun
A Rockford man has been charged after his 6-year-old son found a loaded gun and fired the weapon resulting in the boy's death.
The Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office said Ellioth Lopez, 26, was charged with the felony offense of endangering the life/health of a child.
The incident happened on Nov. 20, according to the state's attorney's office.
Authorities said Lopez left a loaded pistol unattended in his living room when he went to bed. The following morning, Lopez's 6-year-old son was unsupervised when he found the gun, according to the state's attorney's office.
Evidence showed the firearm was discharged and struck the boy while he was holding it, resulting in his death.
The class 3 felony offense of endangering the life/health of a child is punishable by a sentence of 2-10 years, according to the state's attorney's office.
The Rockford Police Department investigated the incident.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford man charged after 6-year-old boy shoots and kills himself
