9-year-old Tampa area boy shot in face after sneaking gun

PLANT CITY, Fla. (AP) – Tampa Bay area authorities say a 9-year-old boy was seriously injured when he was shot in the cheek as he and his brother were handling a handgun in their house.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reports that the boy is expected to survive. The 9-year-old, and his two brothers, ages 11 and 13, were home alone Wednesday when they took the .45-caliber handgun from their mother’s locked bedroom. The brothers removed the hinges from the bedroom door to get access to the gun, which was owned by the mother’s boyfriend.

The Tampa Tribune (http://goo.gl/2VYKrv ) reports that the trio took the gun behind the home and spent 30 to 45 minutes target shooting before returning the gun to the bedroom.

Officials say the two younger boys retrieved the gun, and it discharged, hitting the youngest in the cheek.