PARRISH, Fla. — Deputies in Manatee County are investigating the circumstances around a 12-year-old boy in Parrish reportedly shooting himself in the head.

  • Investigators: Child shot himself in the head
  • Whether shooting accidental or intentional still unknown
  • Boy's parents at home when shooting occurred

The shooting occurred Wednesday afternoon in the Harrison Ranch subdivision of Parrish.

Investigators at this time say it's unclear if the boy shot himself intentionally or if the shooting was accidental.

At last report, the boy was in surgery at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg. 

Neighborhood reacts

Other residents of Harrison Ranch told us they were left scratching their heads following the shooting, hoping the police could learn more about how this could have happened.

"Heartbreaking," said Danny Lolli. "I can’t even imagine what would make a 12-year-old do that. I hope that he didn’t really mean to."

"Maybe he found the gun and was playing with it," Lolli went on. "As much as I want to believe that, I also don’t want to believe that because I’m a parent and I’m a gun owner and be responsible."

Investigators said the boy's parents were at home at the time of the shooting. They are at this time trying to determine how the boy got ahold of the family's gun, in addition to whether or not the shooting was intentional.

Lolli said hearing about the incident made her call her own son.

"Just had to hear his voice, and I’ve got a granddaughter too, and I want to make sure that everybody’s safe," she said. "It just makes you really think about family and life and how precious it is and how fast it can be taken away."

No other information has been been released.