It happened Sunday evening around 6 at a home on West Watson Road in the McGee's Crossroads community.
Investigators arrived to find Warren Bennett Oser, 2, with a gunshot wound to his body. Both of the boy's parents were there with him.
The child was rushed to Johnston Medical Center Clayton where he died from his injuries.
Detectives later determined the 2-year-old climbed into his dad's pickup truck through an open door and found a loaded handgun in the cab. While he was playing with the gun, it went off.
Johnston County Sheriff's Office said the boy's death was considered an "unfortunate accident." However, the investigation remains open at this time.