4-year-old dies after being accidentally shot by older brother in East Orange; mother charged

EAST ORANGE, New Jersey (WABC) -- A mother in New Jersey is under arrest after a 6-year-old boy in East Orange accidentally shot and killed his 4-year-old brother with her gun, police say.

East Orange Mayor Lester E. Taylor III confirmed that the young boy died Saturday afternoon.

The victim's mother, 22-year-old Itiyanah Spruill was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and a weapons violation.

Bail was set at $310,000. She was jailed, pending arraignment.

Neighbors are saddened and horrified for the little boy and his family, but are also confused to why the boy was able to get his hands on the gun in the first place.

"This is crazy, they should have a safe place because that's been going on in the news over and over where you hear about those incidents going on," said Vania Limiage.

The incident happened just after 11 a.m. Saturday on Norman Street. It is still unclear how the child got his hands on that gun, or if their mother was home when it happened.

The 4-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital, and underwent emergency surgery, but did not survive.