RCMP investigate after 11-year-old shot in chest in southern Alberta

RCMP are investigating after an 11-year-old was shot in the chest in southern Alberta on Monday morning.

At around 11:30 a.m., RCMP and EMS were called to the Pincher Creek Hospital where an 11-year-old boy from the Pincher Creek Hutterite Colony was suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest, RCMP said in a media release Monday afternoon.

“It was high in the chest on the right side,” Cpl. Jeff Feist with Pincher Creek RCMP said. “The bullet did pass completely through.”

Police said it’s believed a 13-year-old boy was playing with a 22-caliber pistol when it was accidentally discharged, hitting the 11-year-old boy in the chest. Police said no adults were present at the time of the incident.

WATCH: An 11-year-old was taken to hospital in southern Alberta Monday after he was shot in the chest.

0:33 RCMP investigate after 11-year-old shot in chest in southern Alberta

Cpl. Jeff Feist with Pincher Creek RCMP said the incident did not happen in a home; it happened at another building. He said the family called 911, but decided to drive the boy to hospital.

The 11-year-old was conscious when he arrived at the hospital, Feist said.

The 11-year-old was stabilized and taken via STARS Air Ambulance to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary for further treatment. Feist said the boy was in stable condition.

The police investigation is ongoing and includes the storage of the firearm.

“At this time, we’re not considering charges against the 13-year-old,” Feist said. “We believe this to be a strictly accidental incident.”

“We will be considering charges for the unsafe, unsecure storage of the firearm.”

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Feist said the family was co-operating with officers.

Pincher Creek is located about 225 kilometres south of Calgary.