A man has been charged with murder after allegedly giving a gun to a toddler and telling him to chase another man.

Witnesses told police that Timothy Johnson (24) was shot in the chest on Tuesday afternoon at about 3.00pm.

The gun reportedly went off while a three-year-old child was carrying it outside a home in Warrenville, said Aiken County Sheriff sergeant Stephen Shunn.

Albert Davis has been charged with murder | Image: Aiken County Sheriff's Office

Mr Johnson was dead by the time emergency services arrived at the scene, police said.

Albert Davis (31) has been charged with murder, possession of a stolen handgun and contributing to the delinquency of a minor after allegedly giving the gun to the child.