HAYDEN, Idaho (AP) — Authorities say a 2-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his mother after he reached into her purse at a northern Idaho Wal-Mart and took her concealed gun.
The woman has been identified by police as Veronica J. Rutledge, 29, of Blackfoot, Idaho. She was shopping with several of her children Tuesday morning when the incident happened.
Officials say Rutledge had a concealed weapons permit.
Miller says the shooting was accidental. It occurred in the Wal-Mart in Hayden, Idaho, about 40 miles northeast of Spokane, Washington.
The woman and the children were in the back of the store near the electronics area when the shooting occurred, authorities said.
A relative described Rutledge as a “loving mother.”
KREM-TV reports that witnesses and video surveillance from the store helped deputies determine the shooting was accidental.
The store closed after the shooting and was not expected to reopen until Wednesday morning.
