Locker Talk: Headline News - 3 Year Old Dead From Gunshot Wound At Yellowstone National Park

Great Fountain Geyser Photo by Michael Melford

My heart is heavy as I type this. We, as a society, are almost numb every time we get word that someone has passed away through some careless act. But, this is news no parent should ever have to face.

A 3-year-old girl has passed away from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in the Grant Village Campground at Yellowstone National Park, as park officials have reported.

This is the first reported incident in the park since 1978, where records show two shooting deaths, according to park spokesman Al Nash. He offered no further details for the shooting deaths in '78. Under new federal law passed in February 22, 2010, visitors are allowed to posses firearms within the park. However, hunting, let alone firing a weapon, is prohibited in Yellowstone, as stated on their website.

The incident is currently under investigation. Reports coming out of the area indicate park rangers and EMT's attempted to resuscitate the girl, both of which were unsuccessful.

In a recorded statement, Nash had said the child's mother had called and informed dispatchers that her daughter had shot herself with a handgun. The name of the girl is being withheld until family members could be contacted and notified of the tragedy.

"We don't have all of the information, and we haven't drawn any conclusions," Nash was quoted as saying. "Given the three million visitors we see here every year, there, thankfully, are very few fatalities reported in the park." Nash added, and apparently heart attacks were the primary cause of deaths in the park.

The girl, 3, died in Wyoming, as Yellowstone spans parts of three states: Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

No child should ever pass away, let alone in this manner. The public is going to react in very different ways, asking plenty of questions, with plenty of emotion behind them. As a parent myself, I feel the pain of this poor family. As we don't know the details under the circumstances, we need to keep the family in our hearts, and the little girl in our thoughts.

A child's life is so precious and fragile, make sure they always know they're safe with you, because you never know what tomorrow will bring.

Hug your children tight, every night. Look into their eyes and tell them you love them. Tuck them in bed, tell them you'll see them in the morning, and give them a kiss goodnight.