Boy, 3, shot dead during cops and robbers game

A THREE-year-old boy has died after being accidentally shot by his brother during a game of cops and robbers.

Eian Santiago was playing with the six-year-old who grabbed their dad’s gun from the top of the fridge at their home in Chicago, Illinois, US.

He then mistakenly blasted Eian in the face.

Eian was rushed to hospital but died on Saturday night.

Lad's dad Michael Santiago arrested Chicago Police Department

Their dad Michael Santiago, 25, has been arrested for child endangerment.

He told police he had bought the handgun for protection as he was a former gang member who had snitched on someone during a murder trial.

Relatives distraught outside of Mount Sinai Hospital Corbis

The firearm was wrapped in pyjamas and Santiago had shown his eldest son where it was kept, according to reports.

Police said the boys were playing cops and robbe

Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said: “It’s real simple: if that gun is not in the house that kid is alive today. We see this happen over and over again.”

Santiago’s bail has been set at £48,600.

Chicago has more murders than any other city in the US, with 370 deaths since the start of the year.