Boy arrested after shooting 12-year-old

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) - A 12-year-old boy could face adult charges after police said he shot and wounded another child. The victim is in serious but stable condition after taking a bullet to the chest.

Police and detectives surrounded a house on Griffin Street after getting a call about a 12-year-old boy being shot.

"When they began the investigation they determined that he and another 12-year-old were in a room with a gun. The one 12-year-old-shot the second 12-year-old in the chest," Chris Levy with the Mobile Police Department said.

"When my sister-in-law heard the shot she ran over and the little boy said he was shot. I don't know if they were playing with guns or what," Mary Rowser said.

The shooting happened at Rowser's house, but she wasn't home at the time. The two kids were at the house with another adult.

"The little boy he crawled right here. They got him and put him in the car and took him to the hospital. His mother is still at the hospital with him. He went through surgery as far as I know. I'm praying to the Lord he is alright," said Rowser,

The victim is in serious condition but is expected to survive. Investigators are still trying to figure out how and why the shooting happened.

"We really don't believe he intentionally shot him because they're with each other everyday. At this point we don't know," Shanece Rowser said.

"Originally when they responded they believed it was an accidental shooting, but after an investigation they determined it was in fact not an accident," Levy added.

As for the alleged shooter, police arrested the 12-year-old, who was taken to Strickland Youth Center and charged with felony second degree assault.

Police said the crime definitely could have been prevented. The department gives out free gun locks at the Crime Prevention Center and officers stress safety, especially when it comes to children.

"We do try to educate kids in schools about gun safety. We have literature and coloring books we do hand out, try to explain to them all guns are considered loaded," Levy said.

Protective measures that could mean the difference between life and death.

Police are still investigating who the gun belonged to and how the children got access to it.