STRUTHERS — The Mahoning County Coroner’s Office has released the identity of the 3-year-old child killed last week.

The boy was identified as Gionni Jackson, who celebrated his third birthday on Aug. 10.

Maj. Jeff Allen of the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office said they have taken over the investigation at the request of Struthers police because of a conflict of interest between police Chief Tim Roddy and the boy’s family.

Allen said he cannot comment because the case remains under investigation, but once it is complete, he will submit a report to the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office and they will determine if any charges are warranted.

The shooting happened in the 400 block of Spring Street at 12:16 p.m. Friday.

Struthers police Capt. D.J. Aldish said Friday the shooting involved an “unsecured firearm in a home. And the worst possible thing happened and a child got a hold of it.”

According to published reports, the child was being taken from the scene by car when Boardman police and fire personnel encountered them along South Avenue and stopped to assist. The coroner’s office confirmed the child died from his injuries around 3 p.m.

The Vindicator tried to determine the nature of the relationship between the police chief and the boy’s family, but Roddy could not be reached for comment.

According to the boy’s obituary in The Vindicator, Gionni was the son of Madison Goodin and Jacob Jackson. He was soon to have a little sister named Milani.

The boy’s funeral Mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Holy Family Church in Poland.