DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — A 7-year-old child appears to be responsible for a shot fired outside a school bus, officials say.

According to a press release from the DeFuniak Springs Police Department, officers responded to North 20th Street about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in reference to a possible shooting of a child.

When officers arrived, they noticed no one had been shot or injured. Investigators determined that the 7-year-old had found a pistol stored in a vehicle in front of a home. The child showed the 9 mm Ruger handgun to some other children who had just gotten off a school bus. While the child was showing the weapon, it discharged one round in the air, the release said.

The child was frightened and hid behind a home hide. The child reportedly put the gun back inside the vehicle before deputies arrived.

Walton County School officials were notified and Emerald Coast Technical College was temporarily placed on alert until the area was considered safe.

“Fortunately, no one was injured in this incident. It is important to secure your firearms and talk to your kids about their dangers," Police Chief Mark Weeks said.” The investigation is continuing, but no charges are being sought at this time."