Toms River Boy, 6, Dies From Rifle Shot By Boy, 4

A 6-year-old Toms River boy died Tuesday, a day after he was shot in the head by a 4 year old with a rifle.

"It's a tragic thing that happened," said Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher Tuesday. "It's a terrible tragedy."

Holt was in the yard of a McCormick Drive home when the 4 year old brought the .22 caliber rifle out from inside the house, Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said.

Mastronardy said the matter is under investigation, and any criminal action against the owner of the gun would have to be reviewed by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

The chief did not identify the owner of the rifle.

The parents were "nearby" when the incident occurred, and the mother of the 4-year-old called 911, the chief said. The 6-year-old was flown to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune.

"I think it's a terrible tragedy that a 4-year-old boy was able to get a hold of a rifle that was loaded," Township Council President George Wittmann said. "I think it's incumbent upon gun owners to keep their firearms in a safe location where they cannot be accessed by children."

Hauenstein said that the victim is a student at Saint Joseph's Grade School. He said that Toms River schools officials will be available to provide counseling services to students at Cedar Grove Elementary and Saint Joseph's.