Police: 5-year-old shot by 7-year-old brother
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A 5-year-old boy is in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound after police say he was shot by his 7-year-old brother.
Police say it appears the little boy's brother shot him intentionally, but they haven't ruled out other possibilities.
Right now police say they are still trying to piece together what happened.
Aaron Sconiers has lived on North Huey Street for 27 years and says he has seen his fair share of problems in the neighborhood.
Yet, he says he was shocked to learn a 5-year-old boy had been shot in the home right next door to him.
"It's devastating, it's terrible," said Sconiers.
Police believe the little boy's seven year old brother intentionally pulled the trigger Thursday night inside the bathroom of their home in the 1300 block of North Huey Street on South Bend's West side.
The boy's aunt was babysitting him and his siblings while their mother was at work.
Investigators are still trying to piece together exactly what happened. Police still don't know how a 7-year-old got a hold of an unsecured gun and who that gun belongs to.
"That gun should not have been in their hands in the first place. No, no 5-year-old kid needs to be shot," said Sconiers.
Friday the little boy was transported by ambulance to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis to undergo further treated for a gunshot to the wrist.
Investigators say the bullet also went through the boy's hip and that he suffered severe damage to his left hand.
Neighbors says are just grateful he will survive this traumatic event.
"It could have been much worse, but thankfully it wasn't," said Sconiers.
"I hope they can get some good counseling. They need some counseling in that whole household," said Sconiers.
Child Protective Services has stepped in and removed the other children from the home while they conduct their own investigation.
Police say they also found what appeared to be a bag of drugs inside the house, but so far no arrests have been made.