An airman was accidentally shot and left critically wounded near Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, according to local media.

The shooting happened Saturday morning in the nearby town of Warrensburg.

The Daily Star Journal reported it happened at a subdivision at approximately 4:40am.

Local law enforcement officials are investigating the shooting of an airman Saturday morning near Whiteman Air Force Base (pictured in this file photo) in Missouri

It is believed to have been accidental, a base representative told the NBC affiliate KSHB.

'The shooting occurred when a male subject, who was a friend... of the victim, fired a handgun inside of the residence,' the Daily Star Journal quoted information from the Johnson County Sheriff's Office as saying.

According to the newspaper, the sheriff's office said the 22-year-old airman is in critical condition.

Authorities took a man into custody pending formal charges, the Daily Star Journal reported.

Base spokesman Matthew Van Wagenen said the unidentified airman was taken to a Kansas City hospital after the incident earlier on Saturday.

Van Wagenen said via email to the AP that all possibilities of how the incident happened are being investigated. The condition of the airman, who was assigned to Whiteman, was not disclosed.

In a statement, Brigadier General and 509th Bomb Wing commander Glen VanHerck said 'Our thoughts and prayers are with this Airman, the Airman’s family, and all others impacted by this event.'

Whiteman is about 75 miles southeast of Kansas City.

It is home to the Air Force B-2 bombers, fighter jets and an Army National Guard Aviation Battalion.