A father in the US Virgin Islands has been arrested and charged following the accidental shooting death of his four-year-old son in St Croix.

Roland Richardson III, 27, was arrested on Tuesday, August 18, in connection with the death of his son, Jeziah Azir Richardson.

Police said the incident happened on July 16 at about 7:01 p.m., when the St Croix 911 Emergency Call Center received a report that a child had suffered a gunshot wound.

The boy was taken to Juan F. Luis Hospital for emergency treatment, but despite efforts to save his life, he died from his injuries.

The Virgin Islands Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau subsequently launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Richardson was charged with involuntary manslaughter, child neglect, child abuse, and aggravated child abuse and neglect.

His bail was set at US$50,000, and he was remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility pending an advice-of-rights hearing.