3-yr-old boy shoots pregnant mum, dad

A three-year-old boy in America shot and injured his heavily pregnant mother and his father after discovering a loaded handgun in his mother's purse while searching for her iPod.

The toddler was sitting in a motel room in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with his mother, Monique Villescas, father, Justin Reynolds, and two-year-old sister on Saturday, January 31 when the toddler shot his parents.

According to reports, he was searching for his mum’s iPod in her purse when he drew out a loaded handgun instead.

Seconds later, he fired one shot which struck his father’s right buttock before going through to strike his father’s eight month- pregnant girlfriend in the arm.

Police arrived after the scene shortly after 2pm after Mr Reynolds called 911. They found the parents suffering from injuries, while a 9mm handgun was located on the floor of the motel room.

The pair was rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds.

Mr Reynolds has since been released. Miss Villescas's condition remains unknown as police said the expectant mother appeared to have been 'seriously' injured in the shooting.

Albuquerque Police Department officer Simon Drobik told a local newspaper that police will likely recommend that the parents are charged with felony criminal negligence over the incident.

“The child did the damage, but it was because of the negligence of the adults that the child was able to do this. If you are going to be a gun owner, you need to lock it up and keep it safe,” he said.