CENTERVILLE — A 9-year-old boy is in stable condition after he was accidentally shot in the shoulder while visiting family in Centerville Saturday evening.

According to Von Steenblik, Centerville's assistant police chief, investigators believe the boy was playing with cousins in the basement of the home and the gun fired, striking him in the shoulder, when one of the cousins attempted to take the firearm away from him.

Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a call from the residence, located near 1200 North and 225 West, shortly after 6:30 p.m. The boy was treated on the scene and transported to Primary Children's Hospital in stable condition, Steenblik said.

The boy, whose parents are deceased, was left to visit family members Saturday evening by his grandmother, who is believed to be his guardian, he said.

Steenblik said it was not clear how the boy obtained the loaded weapon and the incident remains under investigation.

— Art Raymond