In light of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, another small child has fallen victim to gunfire, as a three-year-old boy shot himself in the head in Oklahoma while playing with his uncle’s gun.

Three-year-old Ryder Rozier has died after the boy shot himself in the head with the gun belonging to his uncle, Oklahoma state trooper Ian Rozier.

The blonde, blue-eyed toddler came across the loaded handgun in his uncle’s bedroom midday on Saturday when he pulled the trigger.

The self-inflicted gun wound led to the toddler being pronounced dead at the scene.

More than 5,700 children and teens in the U.S. died from guns between 2008 and 2009, the most recent years for which data is available.

In other words, one child or teen is killed from a gunshot wound every three hours in the United States.

Authorities said the firearm was Ian Rozier’s personal weapon and that it was not state-issued. 

Friends of Ryder’s parents have set up a memorial fundraising page online to help the family with funeral costs. Nearly $5,000 has been raised so far. 

“Ryder Man was a sweet 3-year-old who stole the hearts of everyone who crossed his path,” a friend wrote on the memorial page. “Our hearts are breaking for Keri and Felix to have to go through something so horrific as losing their child… A parent should never have to bury their child.”

The baby boy was looking forward to Christmas, and asked his parents to wrap his presents as fast as possible so he could open them. Unfortunately, he never had the chance to unwrap them.

Jordan Shepherd | Elite.