Gun laying around the house handled by 9-year-old when it went off and hit 4-year-old, HCSO says

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A 4-year-old boy was shot in the head with an unattended gun that wound up in his 9-year-old brother's hands, deputies said on Monday.

Relatives at the scene said the next 24 hours would be crucial for him.

The early findings came as the Harris County Sheriff's Office try to piece together how and why a firearm was accessible to a small boy while the child shot is fighting for his life.

The sheriff's office received a call of the shooting at about 12:20 p.m. in the 22300 block of Guston Hall Lane, located not too far from the Grand Parkway in west Harris County.

The wounded 4-year-old was driven by private vehicle to Memorial Hermann Katy, where Life Flight flew him to a hospital in the Texas Medical Center, Maj. Susan Cotter of HCSO said.

Deputies learned eight people were inside the home when the child was shot, including an uncle who is visiting and owns the weapon. It was not immediately disclosed how the weapon got into young hands, but Cotter said the gun was laying somewhere in the house.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted saying were handling a pistol when it was discharged.

"I just couldn't believe it, because I see these little kids out here playing every day. They're playing basketball, and they have lots of friends. It was very shocking because this neighborhood out here is a good neighborhood. It's very quiet," said Tammy Jackson who lives in the neighborhood.

Deputies also don't know why 911 wasn't called immediately. Everyone has been cooperative with the HCSO.

Cotter said responsible gun ownership lessens the chances of shootings involving minors. You could put a gun lock on it. You could leave locked it in your car and not make it accessible to a child.

The shooting will be referred to the Harris County District's Attorney for any charges, though Cotter mentioned that making a handgun accessible to a child is a crime.