( CNN ) -- A man was fatally wounded when his 4-year-old son fired a gun he found while they were visiting a residence in Prescott Valley , Arizona , officials said . Justin Stanfield Thomas , 35 , and his son made an unannounced trip Friday to the home of an unidentified former roommate , police said . Thomas had previously lived in the residence , according to investigators . `` This appears to be an accident . There was no conflict in the stories of those in the house , '' said Prescott Valley Police Sgt . Brandon Bonney . `` The resident did n't know his former roommate was stopping by to visit . '' Moments after arriving at the home , the boy picked up the small-caliber handgun and asked his father and other adults in the room what it was he was holding , said Bonney . When and how do parents educate children about guns ? Seconds later he pulled the trigger . Officers and emergency crews arrived and found Thomas , of Phoenix , with a single gunshot wound to the chest . He was transported to a local hospital , where he was pronounced dead . Kids and guns : 'These are not isolated tragedies ' Acknowledging it appears to have been a tragic accident , Bonney cautioned gun owners . `` We want to remind people without making a villain of this person , that if a child is visiting your home , the first thing to do would be put the firearm away . '' No charges were anticipated because the incident was an accident , Bonney told CNN . 5-year-old Kentucky boy fatally shoots 2-year-old sister .
Father , boy were visiting Prescott Valley , Arizona . Former roommate did not know they were coming . Boy , 4 , picked up handgun , opened fire . Dad is fatally wounded in accident .