Idaho woman shot dead by two-year-old son was successful nuclear scientist

The woman who was accidentally shot dead by her two-year-old son in an Idaho Walmart is described by those who knew her as a gun lover, a motivated academic and a successful nuclear research scientist.

“She was a beautiful, young, loving mother who was taken much too soon,” Veronica Rutledge’s father-in-law, Terry Rutledge, told the Spokesman-Review . “She was out on what was supposed to be a fun-filled day with her son and nieces."

Rutledge was shot at about 10.20am on Tuesday, in the electronics department of the Hayden, Idaho, Walmart. Kootenai County sheriffs said her toddler son, sitting in the front of a shopping cart, reached into Rutledge’s purse, found her weapon and shot his mother.

“I mean, this is a pretty tragic incident right now that we’re dealing with,” Kootenai lieutenant Stu Miller told reporters on Tuesday. “When you have young children, small people, holiday season - it’s not a pleasant experience."

While shopping with her son and nieces in the store, Rutledge carried a loaded small-caliber handgun zippered in a pocket in her purse. The purse was a Christmas gift from her husband, Colt Rutledge, one designed specifically for concealed carry, the Washington Post reported .

“All the precautionary measures weren’t taken to ensure the safety of that weapon,” Miller said later.