Kansas City, Mo. ? Two men have been charged in the death of a 3-year-old boy who was shot while riding his Big Wheel pedal tricycle in his front yard, prosecutors announced Friday.

Terry K. George Jr., 20, and Tony D. Hall, 20, were charged with second-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child in the death of Robert Lee Jackson Jr., of Kansas City. George also is charged with unlawful use of a weapon.

According to court documents, the two men, who are cousins, were fighting in the yard Wednesday night when both brandished guns. Court documents say Hall fired several shots, with one of the bullets hitting Robert, who was playing.

The boy was taken to a hospital, where he died.

The boy’s father, Robert Jackson Sr., told The Kansas City Star his son had been staying with his mother’s family because Jackson and his wife are separated. He said his son was “a beautiful and very intelligent little boy” who always wanted to go outside to play.

“He was always happy. All he wanted was to just play,” Jackson said. “He had a smile just so big. … I could never get mad at him.”

Police said they have responded to the home five times since January 2001, three times for disturbances involving gunfire and twice when officers were looking for someone wanted on warrants.