Florida toddler dies after shooting himself with father's handgun

His parents were packing to move home, when the tragic accident occurred

Police stand guard near an East Lake, Fla., home, where authorities say a two-year-old child died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. (AP Photo/The Tampa Bay Times, Douglas R. Clifford)

A toddler has died after he shot himself with his father's handgun, in what a local sheriff has called a "tragic situation".

Kaleb Ahles, 2, was in the car while his parents, Kevin Ahles and Christina Nigro, both 23, loaded boxes as they prepared to move, according to Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies.

While his parents were busy, the boy opened the glove compartment where he found his father's .380-calibre handgun. He then turned the weapon to face his chest and squeezed the trigger, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

His parents told deputies that they heard a loud pop and ran to the car. Nigro performed CPR, and the boy was rushed to a hospital, but he was later pronounced dead.

"He probably barely got the trigger pulled," said Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. He described the gun as a lightweight weapon usually carried in a pocket or on a hip.

Mr Gualtieri called the incident a "tragic situation".

The sheriff added the parents will not face criminal charges, as no-one could punish them more than they will punish themselves.

The boy's grandfather, a retired Tampa police detective who is also called Kevin Ahles, stood near the police tape outside the house.

"A great little kid was killed today," he said. "That's all there is to say."

Additional reporting by PA