Boy, 4, accidentally shot in Va. Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH. VA. (WAVY) - A 4-year-old boy is in critical condition after he was shot in the hip Thursday afternoon.

The little boy was inside his home in the 3800 block of Buckhorn Place with his dad when 911 was called around 4:16 p.m.

"It sounded like a shot gun," neighbor Sam Roberts said. "It was one shot."

The sound of gunfire quickly turned into the sound of rescue vehicles.

"I saw like 20 guys [officers] running down the street, then I saw the ambulance and then I saw a little baby boy that was carried out on a stretcher," Roberts added.

Police said the shooting was accidental, but they don't know who pulled the trigger.

"Why is really more the question," neighbor Aaron Perkins said. "Are the parents being safe about hiding their firearms if they have them?"

Police said the incident is still under investigation.

"It's disgusting to know that something like that can happen to a child," Perkins said.

Police said the weapon was a large caliber gun. The child was taken to Norfolk General and rushed right into surgery.  He was alert and breathing when 911 was called.

"I don't even know what to feel," Roberts added. "They're a small family. There's a mom and a dad. They are military. They have that only child and now he's in critical condition."

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