Are they absolutely sure the perp was the 3-year-old? Because babies can be extremely demanding at 8 months and although I've never actually shot one of my own children, the thought has certainly crossed my mind. I've always suspected that the mothers of the Bethlehem area weren't quite as upset with Herod as they claimed, and that much of the weeping and wailing was just for show.
Sister Handmaiden is quite correct though: one should never arm an untrained child. We had a lovely day yesterday, celebrating the demise of the Duke of Edinburgh with a 21-gun-salute. All the boys over the age of 3 took part, firing simultaneously and at one minute intervals. Nobody was killed, apart from a couple of deer which strayed into range. But, as young Zeke (6) pointed out, it's what the Duke would have wanted.
I've uploaded the video to the True Christian™ private channel, in case anyone's children want to watch it.