According to law enforcement officials, Aiden Mathews, address not provided, was pronounced dead shortly after 9:13 p.m. Saturday after he is believed to have shot himself in the face with a handgun.

“At approximately 9:13 p.m. officers responded to 3701 Connally in reference to a gunshot victim,” said Sgt. Tony Everett, public information officer with the Big Spring Police Department. “Officers arrived and found that a 3-year-old male had been shot in the face.

“The child had found a handgun in the home, and while handling the weapon suffered a wound to the face. The child was transported to the emergency room at Scenic Mountain Medical Center by ambulance. Life saving measures failed and the child was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace Kathryn Wiseman.”

According to Everett, the child was visiting relatives at the time of the accident.

“An autopsy was ordered and is scheduled to take place today in Lubbock,” said Everett.

The handgun was a .357 caliber sig, according to Everett.

Everett said whether or not charges will be brought against the owner of the gun is unclear at this time.

“No charges have been brought at this time,” said Everett. “That's a decision that will have to be made once the investigation is complete.”

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it