A young boy is hurt and his mother is in custody after police said she left a handgun within his reach on Milwaukee’s north side.

Police said the 4-year-old boy accidentally shot himself Sunday afternoon at a house near 60th and Hampton. He was taken to the hospital for injuries, but is expected to survive.

The accident left nearby neighbors in shock.

“It’s terrible, I don’t know how that’s even possible to be honest,” said Artesha Mason. “The gun should have been put up.”

Mason lives a few houses down from where the boy accidentally shot himself.

“I don’t really understand how a child could handle a gun to be honest with you especially a hand gun but I know it happens,” she said.

The boy was rushed to the hospital and his mother was arrested. As a veteran, Mason said this accident reinforces something she practices in her own home.

“I was in the Army so gun safety and all of that is very important to me.”

As a mother of two children, she’s heartbroken for all who were involved.

“I can’t imagine what the mom is going through, the family or anything and just prayers that he makes it through,” said Mason.

This case will be reviewed by the District Attorney’s office later this week. The mother’s name has not been released.