A city father is facing an assault charge after police say he shot his 2-year-old son Friday on Walnut Street.

Charles Timothy Phillips, 36, was charged with first-degree assault and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to the Rochester Police Chief Michael Ciminelli.

Zayden Phillips was in guarded condition at Strong Memorial Hospital.

Police didn't reveal if the shooting was accidental or intentional, but they did say it happened inside the home. The charge of first-degree assault includes intent or depraved indifference. It's unclear which applies in this case.

First responders were called to 24 Walnut St. about 11:55 a.m. for the report of a child shot, Ciminelli said.

American Medical Response, the city's contracted ambulance service, confirmed it transported a child to Strong Memorial Hospital in life-threatening condition. Ciminelli declined to reveal where Zayden Phillips was shot.

Authorities obtained a search warrant and executed it at the home. Police recovered a handgun, Ciminelli said.

Ciminelli said no other adults or children were home at the time of the incident. "I'm not going to discuss the incident beyond the charges that have been filed at this point," Ciminelli said.

He added, "At this point, we're not charging anyone else." Ciminelli said he is unsure of when Charles Timothy Phillips will be arraigned.

"This investigation is still very active," Ciminelli said. "...Certainly on behalf of the Rochester Police Department, we want to extend our prayers to this family at this very difficult time."

SLAHMAN@Gannett.com

MCDERMOT@Gannett.com

WCLEVELAND@Gannett.com