A child accidentally shot and killed another child in River Grove, Illinois, on Wednesday, said local police, adding that the gun used in the incident belonged to the father of the deceased child.

River Grove police said the child was severely injured and later succumbed to the injury. Both children lived in the same household.

The father of the child who was killed told police he was outside when he was alerted of the accidental shooting and the gun was stored on a high shelf in a closet.

The accident is still being investigated and police said they would not release any additional information at present.

It's just one case of at least 128 accidental shootings by children in the U.S. this year, according to Everytown for Gun Safety – a non-governmental organization working to end gun violence.

Data from the organization also showed 54 of those shootings have been fatal.

Another frustrating thing is that young people in the U.S. exposed to shootings outside the home have for decades been without access to the broad range of intervention efforts and support at various stages of life in comparison to youth facing other forms of traumatic events, U.S. news portal BET reported on Tuesday, quoting pediatrician Nina Agrawal. 

"We need to start recognizing that our children are experiencing trauma and it may not show up overtly, but we have to start recognizing it and listening," said Agrawal, who chairs the Gun Safety Committee for the New York state chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Agrawal said her young patients who have witnessed the effects of gun violence are developing chest pain, headaches and other health concerns, a commonality among youth experiencing a lack of sleep due to gun violence paranoia.

The more time a child spends on high alert, the more disruptions to the immune system and brain function occur, as well as effects on mental and behavioral health, said Agrawal. 

As gun violence soars nationwide in the United States, children's health experts are advocating for such traumatic exposure to be considered what's known as an "adverse childhood experience," the report said.

(With input from agencies)