Officers responded to reports of a shooting victim in the apartment complex of 2073 Santa Rita St. at about 5 p.m. Tuesday, and found the child suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen, police said.
The boy was transported to a nearby hospital, and was later flown by medical helicopter to a Bay Area hospital, where he remained in serious condition following surgery as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
When looking underneath his parents' bed Tuesday evening, the young boy found a 12-gauge shotgun. His 12-year-old brother came across the boy and the gun, and tried to take it away from him, but the gun discharged, accidentally shooting the younger boy, police said.
The two boys were the only people home at the time of the shooting. Police are still investigating where the boys' parents were at the time.
Although detectives determined the shooting was accidental, the investigation has been passed into the hands of the Monterey County District Attorney's Office for their review.
The parents could possibly face charges for improper storage of a firearm. At this time, there are no criminal charges being filed against the 12-year-old boy, police said.
