The 4-year-old Wesley Chapel boy injured Wednesday night suffered an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound.
- Pasco boy, 4, accidentally shot himself
- Shooting happened Wednesday night in Wesley Chapel neighborhood
- Boy in hospital, expected to revcover
The Pasco County Sheriff's Office said the boy, Brody Pawlus, accidentally shot himself in the abdomen. Authorities said is stable condition and is expected to recover.
The shooting happened at a home on Boulder Run Loop just after 9 p.m. Authorities said Brody was being babysat by his grandmother, Gail Pawlus.
They said Brody found a loaded gun in the bedroom and shot himself while his grandmother was in another room.
Brody was flown to an area hospital after the shooting.
Investigators went door-to-door in the neighborhood Wednesday evening talking to neighbors.
"I've seen him before and that was why it was so heartbreaking," said resident Angelica Gonzalez. "Especially when I heard it. It scared a lot of people because he is like a little known cute little boy that lives in our neighborhood."
The case is being reviewed to determine if there will be any criminal charges.