A 2-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his mother Tuesday while the two were shopping in an Idaho Wal-Mart, authorities said.
The boy, who was seated in a shopping cart at the time, pulled a handgun from the 29-year-old Veronica J. Rutledge’s purse and accidentally shot her, Lt. Stu Miller with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said during a press briefing, reported KXLY, an ABC News affiliate.
Lt. Miller told the Associated Press that the woman was shopping with her son and three other children. Authorities confirmed Ms. Rutledge had a concealed weapons permit.
No other injuries were reported.
The store, located in Hayden, Idaho, was evacuated and closed following the shooting while police investigate the incident, and will remain closed until Wednesday.
“A very sad incident occurred at our store today involving the death of a female customer. We are fully cooperating with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s deputies as they investigate this matter,” Aaron Mullins, senior manager for Wal-Mart Media Relations, told KXLY.
“It appears to be a pretty tragic accident,” Lt. Miller told AP.
• Jennifer Pompi can be reached at jpompi@washingtontimes.com.
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