BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A 6-year-old boy tragically died Tuesday morning after police say he accidentally shot himself inside an apartment in east Birmingham.

The incident happened shortly before 11:30 a.m. at the Madison Park apartments on Sunhill Road. Birmingham police officers and Birmingham Fire and Rescue responded to the scene, where they found the child suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Family members gathered outside the apartment complex, where grief quickly set in. “That was my only grandson,” one man cried.

According to Officer De’Rell Freeman, the child had been inside the apartment with two adults when he entered a room, discovered an unsecured firearm, and fatally shot himself. Both adults were taken to police headquarters for questioning. Authorities have not yet said whether criminal charges will be filed.

“This is a situation where we harp on gun safety and adults securing firearms so that situations like this don’t happen,” Freeman said. “Our heart goes out to his family.”

Police Chief Michael Pickett emphasized the devastating toll such incidents take on families and first responders. He noted that counseling services will be offered to the officers who witnessed the tragedy.

“It’s very difficult for an officer to see a child that’s lost their life,” Chief Pickett said. “We can’t say it any more strongly—it’s incumbent on us as adults to protect our children. You must secure these weapons.”