HOUSTON – Authorities are investigating after a 7-year-old boy was accidentally shot by a 9-year-old in southwest Houston, according to the Houston Police Department.
The incident happened around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at a home on 600 E. Anderson Road, police said.
According to police, there were multiple unsecured weapons in the home, including a loaded pistol, which was lying on the bed when the 9-year-old found it.
The 9-year-old tried to show the 7-year-old the weapon when the gun accidentally fired, hitting the younger child in the face, police said. According to authorities, the shot went “through and through to the cheek,” and the 7-year-old is expected to survive.
Authorities said a maintenance worker heard the gunshot and rushed to help. There were several adults home at the time of the incident. One of the adults fled the scene before police arrived, authorities said.
Police said they are still searching for the adult who fled. They believed that person lived at the home but it is unclear how that person is related to the children. Police said the other adults who were in the home at the time of the shooting are cooperating with the investiagtion.
Investigators originally said the two boys were brothers, but later said the boys just live in the same household and are relatives.
Initial information is 7 year old male was accidentally shot by 9 year old brother. 7 year old is expected to survive. 202 pic.twitter.com/csshpSIgPQ
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) May 27, 2021