4-year-old stepson of HCSO sergeant accidentally shoots himself in Hockley-area home

A toddler accidentally shot himself inside his Hockley-area home Tuesday, July 10, 2018. A toddler accidentally shot himself inside his Hockley-area home Tuesday, July 10, 2018. Photo: Jay R. Jordan Photo: Jay R. Jordan Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close 4-year-old stepson of HCSO sergeant accidentally shoots himself in Hockley-area home 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

A young boy accidentally shot himself inside his Hockley-area home Tuesday evening, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. He is the stepson of an HCSO sergeant, officials wrote in a tweet.

Tuesday's shooting marks the second time a young Houston-area child accidentally shot himself in recent days.

The 4-year-old was airlifted to Memorial Herman Hospital in the Texas Medical Center shortly after 6:30 p.m. from his home in the 31700 block of Dunham Lake Drive.

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HCSO crime scene and violent crimes detectives had just arrived at the home around 8:15 p.m. to investigate how the boy got a hold of the handgun.

One parent and other family members were home when the shooting took place, HCSO Senior Deputy Thomas Gilliland said. Gilliland did not have any information about the boy's condition and did not specify where the boy was shot.

Late Tuesday, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a tweet that the boy came out of surgery, but remains in "very critical" condition and is "battling for his life." Gonzalez also said that the boy is 4 years old. Officials earlier said the boy is 3.

This is at least the fourth time this year a child has accidentally shot themselves in the Houston area.

In February, 6-year-old Justin Gooden shot himself in the Third Ward with his sister's boyfriend's pistol. Days earlier, 4-year-old Kadren Johnson shot himself with a gun he found at his grandmother's home in Texas City.

Earlier this week, 2-year-old Christopher Williams Jr. fatally shot himself inside his Acres Homes area home.

"It's something we have to really address," Gilliland said. "How you store your weapon is very important. We all have the right to bear arms and hold handguns, but also you have to be responsible with that weapon when it's in your (home) and you have children. That should be the number-one priority."

Under Texas' Child Protection Access law, a gun owner can be charged with a misdemeanor if a child under the age of 17 gains access to a loaded gun which the owner failed to secure or left in a place where they know the child has access.

Check back for updates on this developing story as they come in.

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Jay R. Jordan is a breaking news reporter at Chron.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan.