VICTORVILLE — A man suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso was airlifted to a trauma center down the hill Monday afternoon, authorities said.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies responded to a field in the area of Sunny Vista and Olivine roads after receiving a call at approximately 2 p.m. Monday.

The man, who was reportedly showing a woman how to shoot when the gun accidentally went off, per scanner traffic, was awake and breathing when authorities arrived, according to Victorville Sheriff's Station Sgt. Shelly Kelly.

Authorities are investigating the shooting, but believe it was accidental, Kelly said.