A father was arrested live on TV after his toddler was seen waving a loaded gun around outside of their apartment.
Neighbours of the dad, situated in Indiana, US, notified the police after a Ring security doorbell camera captured the shocking footage.
There has been a collective outrage over the clip, which once again raises the issue of gun control in the US.
Advert
A resident of the apartment complex called officers after noticing the child was playing with the pistol, with footage showing one moment in which the young boy turned the gun on himself and pulled the trigger a number of times.
While there were bullets in the magazine, luckily there weren't any in the chamber – or else this incident could have ended very differently.
Cops arrived at the home of the boy's dad, 45-year-old Shane Osborne, on Saturday (14 January) and began questioning him in a segment aired on reality TV show On Patrol: Live.
Advert
Osborne initially denied having a gun, but when the officers went to leave, a neighbour showed them the recording.
When they told the dad they had video evidence, he changed his story, suggesting that if there was a firearm it belonged to his cousin.
Police conducted a search on the home where they found a 9mm Smith and Wesson firearm in the back of a desk drawer.
Advert
Osborne was arrested on the spot and now faces child neglect charges. He's set to appear in court today (17 January).
Beech Grove Mayor Dennis Buckley said in a statement: "As with all of you, I’m mortified and what took place and I’m so thankful that no one was hurt, especially the young child.
"I appreciate the quick action taken by the Beech Grove Police Department to secure the small child and the gun in question.
"I ask that the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office work tirelessly to secure charges and a conviction against the responsible parties, with maximum penalties.
Advert
"Society shouldn’t accept anything less."
There has been an outcry over the incident on social media, with army veteran and activist Skyleigh Heinen tweeting: "The father of the toddler didn’t even know his child was gone.
"Running around in the cold in a diaper with a loaded gun. He lied about having the gun and was arrested.
"Please get this poor baby proper care and never return him to this sperm donor."
Advert
Meanwhile, Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, which aims to address gun violence in the US, shared the heart-stopping clip.
Alongside the footage, she said: "Last year - over the objections of police and Hoosiers - Indiana lawmakers passed permitless carry, which allows people to have easy access to guns without a background check or safety training.
"Data shows the law increases gun crime and death."
Watts added: "Adult gun owners are wholly responsible for ensuring the safety of children: LOCK UP YOUR GUNS."
Daisy Phillipson