US toddler accidentally shoots himself dead

A Pennsylvania family is reeling after the death of a two-year-old boy, who accidentally shot himself.

A US Park Police officer ties police tape to a hand rail closing access to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Source: AP

A two-year-old boy accidentally shot himself to death in his grandparents' Pennsylvania home.

Authorities say Benjamin Smith was pronounced dead Monday at the hospital shortly after suffering a single gunshot wound to the chest.

Emergency medical personnel responded to the shooting around 11 am (local time) at the home in Milford Township, Bucks County, north of Philadelphia.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether anyone was home at the time, how the child got the weapon and who owned the weapon.

Authorities say the shooting appears accidental.