Boy shot in face by another boy while unsupervised at Texas City apartment

TEXAS CITY, Texas – A boy was shot in the face after a group of unsupervised children found a handgun in a Texas City apartment.

Police say at around 4:30 p.m. Thursday they received a call that a juvenile male had been shot at the Harbor Oaks apartments in the 8600 block of Emmett F. Lowry. Officers arrived on scene and found an 8-year-old boy who had been shot in the face with a handgun.

The boy was taken via LifeFlight to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he underwent surgery. He is in critical condition and has been moved to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Police say three boys -- ages 7, 8 and 9 -- had been left at the apartment with no adult supervision. The 7-year-old found a handgun inside the apartment, discharged the weapon and struck the 8-year-old in the left cheek, according to police.

We're told the 8- and 9-year-olds are brothers and the 7-year-old is a cousin, but it's unclear if the boys live in the apartment or if they were visiting.

Renaldo Castillo told Local 2 he knows a man who lives in the apartment but he doesn't know any children.

"I'm in total shock, to be honest with you," Castillo said. "To leave a loaded gun inside like that with kids; in the blink of an eye something like that can happen. It's sad."

No charges will be filed against the shooter because of his age. Child Protective Services has been notified and will be investigating.

The adult responsible for the supervision of the three children is being investigated by Texas City police. The case has been referred to the Galveston County District Attorney's Office for review and police say charges are pending.

In Texas a person must be 10 years of age or older to be arrested.