The four-year-old boy of a sheriff’s deputy in northern Michigan accidentally shot and killed himself with a handgun at the family’s home over the weekend, state police said Monday.

Authorities believe Michael Easter was playing with the firearm when he shot himself one time on Saturday in Liberty Township, said First Lt. Michael Krumm of the state police. Police have sent evidence to a forensic lab for analysis but don’t think there was any criminal intent at play.

“At this point there is nothing that’s leading us to believe that this is anything more than a tragic accident,” Krumm said.

The handgun was believed to be registered to the boy’s father, Mark Easter, Krumm said, adding that he had yet to receive confirmation. But it was not Easter’s service weapon, he said.

Easter was on his way to work when his wife called and told him what happened, Jackson County Sheriff Steve Rand told mlive.com. The boy was pronounced dead at a local medical center.

“This just serves as a reminder that we need to be vigilant when it comes to keeping our children safe,” Rand said.

Cammy Rose, the cousin of Easter’s wife, told NBC affiliate wilx.com: “Mark's a good guy. I know this wasn't intentional."

"My heart is broken for my cousin," she said. "He was definitely taken from this world too early."

A week ago, a 4-year-old Houston boy fatally shot himself with his father's stolen handgun while his dad slept. 

Police were searching for the gunman who shot a sheriff's deputy in a community south of Los Angeles Friday night, according to LA County Sheriff's officials.

The deputy, who was on duty with the gang enforcement team of LASD Operation Safe Streets Bureau, was shot about 9:30 p.m. (12:30 a.m. ET) in the 1600 block of 87th Street in the unincorporated Florence area.

Three to five people were being sought in connection with the shooting, police said.

Helicopter footage showed a huge police presence locking down 30 blocks, where the search was taking place.

Residents in the area were being told to stay in their homes with their doors and windows locked. Police have asked anyone in the area who sees people acting suspiciously to call 911.

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The deputy, who has not been named, was transported to a hospital where he underwent surgery and is listed in stable condition. Witnesses said he appeared to be conscious and moving.

LA County Sheriff Lee Baca was escorted by law enforcement officials to the hospital Friday night.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.-- Authorities in Missouri say a former sheriff's deputy is suspected of killing his ex-wife and her new boyfriend before leading officers on a high-speed chase that ended with a shootout at an upscale hotel hosting a Christmas party.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol on Sunday identified the murder victims as 32-year-old Annette Durham, of Salem, and 39-year-old Steven Strotkamp.

The suspected shooter — former Dent County Sheriff's Deputy Marvin Rice — was in fair at a Columbia hospital after being wounded in the shootout.

Rice was captured at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City, where about 500 doctors, nurses and their families had gathered for a Christmas party. Among the hotel's other guests were members of a youth hockey team. No guests were injured.

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