3-year-old SC boy fatally shoots self after climbing Christmas presents to reach gun

A 3-year-old South Carolina boy accidentally shot and killed himself after climbing a stack of Christmas presents to reach his late father’s handgun.

The child’s mother told investigators she placed the 9-mm handgun, which she believed was unloaded, under some clothes in a dresser drawer in their Simpsonville home.

But authorities said her son, identified as Michael Kyron Boyles, somehow spotted the weapon and managed to gain access to the gun, which he accidentally fired and shot himself in the head.

Sheriff’s deputies said the child was home with his mother and 2-year-old sister at the time.

His body was found alone in his mother’s bedroom with the gun lying nearby.

The boy’s father, who had owned the gun, died from cancer in May.

The mother told police she removed the magazine from the gun, but apparently a bullet remained in the chamber.

Police said the gun had no lock or traditional safety mechanism.

Watch this video report posted online by The Greenville News: