At 2:27 p.m. Monday, a four-year-old child was “accidentally shot” at an apartment on the 200 block of South Sherman Avenue.

After one of the parents called 911 to report the incident, police officers and EMS arrived to provide medical care. The child was transported to a Des Moines hospital by air ambulance, where the child later died.

Ames Police Department Major Jason Tuttle told the Daily that an additional child was present at the time. Allegedly, the parents thought the gun was not accessible, but “the child got into an area where the gun was at and it was unfortunately not locked up.”

Tuttle said Ames PD works with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services when children are involved in cases to help out and ensure their safety.

He said the police will also be in contact with the Story County Attorney’s Office. The Ames Police Department has not filed any criminal charges and Tuttle said “We’re not to that point yet.”

In the long-term, Tuttle said, “We also want to support the family and then support our first responders that had to respond to that really traumatic call yesterday, too.”

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ames Police Department at (515) 239-5133 or the anonymous tip line at (515) 239-5533. Tips can also be submitted online through Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa.