According to reports, a 3-year-old boy in Illinois accidentally shot and killed his mother after discovering a gun in the backseat of the family’s car.

According to WLS, the horrific tragedy occurred after Dejah Bennet and her boyfriend arrived with her son at a supermarket in the Chicago suburb of Dolton on Saturday.

The toddler was in the backseat of the car and began playing with the firearm when it discharged, according to the report.

Bennet was hit in the neck by the bullet. Soon after, she was pronounced dead.

Romell Watson, the boy’s father, was arrested and later charged with a misdemeanour gun charge, according to an updated report from WLS.

Following the fatal shooting, Dolton community activist Andrew Holmes distributed 400 gun locks outside the supermarket on Sunday.

“This could have been prevented,” Holmes told the news outlet.

Holmes said the father had admitted the firearm was his.

Following the fatal shooting, Dolton community activist Andrew Holmes distributed 400 gun locks outside the supermarket on Sunday.