HENDERSON, NV (FOX5) -
A Henderson boy shot by a relative who mistook a loaded gun for a toy was identified Tuesday as Robert Martin.
Martin was killed Sunday by a single gunshot wound to the chest at an unfinished home in the Macdonald Ranch.
Police said his 11-year-old uncle pulled the trigger after finding the gun in a box of toys.
"In a play area, there were toys around and an 11-year-old goes into a box labeled ‘treasure chest' that had toys in it and he pulled out what he believe[d] was a toy gun," said Henderson PD's Keith Paul.
The Clark County Coroner's Office said Martin was six years old, although he was previously identified as five years old.
He was rushed to St. Rose Hospital but pronounced dead a short time later.
"He didn't think it was really a gun," Paul continued. "He thought it was a toy. I can only imagine how horrible he feels at this point."
During a search of the house, police discovered five more handguns and rifles, all of which were confiscated.
"Always lock them up," Paul warns. "They should be in a gun safe or put a gun lock on the gun. You put guns in places where children are not going to stumble upon them."
A neighbor in the area, Gloria Garrett, told FOX5 she believes the gun owner should be held responsible.
"There needs to be better gun control laws," she said. "It's a disgrace and everybody's way too casual about it."
No one has been charged yet, but the case remains under investigation.
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