TWINSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A woman is hospitalized after her boyfriend accidentally shot her in the head, sheriff deputies said.

A family member drove the 20-year-old woman to University Hospital after the shooting about 8:30 a.m. Sunday. An emergency helicopter later flew her to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

The woman suffered injuries not considered life-threatening and could be released as early as Sunday, Summit County Sheriff Inspector Bill Holland said.

The girl's 20-year-old boyfriend was visiting at the woman's Ray Court home and was handling the gun in the kitchen, Holland said.

The man thought the gun was unloaded and accidentally pulled the trigger while putting the gun down, Holland said.

The bullet struck the woman in the left side of her head, traveled around the back of her head and exited out of the right side, Holland said.

Sheriff deputies found the gun and the boyfriend a short time later. Despite investigators believing the shooting was an accident, Holland said criminal charges could be filed against the boyfriend.

Holland said they are still investigating the incident.