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An 18-month-old Coffee County boy is recovering after being struck by a bullet fired by his 3-year-old brother at a home in Hillsboro.

Coffee County Sheriff Steve Graves said Wednesday that investigators were interviewing family members at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where the child is being treated.

He has been "alert and awake" throughout the ordeal and is expected to recover, the sheriff said.

Graves said officials are trying to determine how the 3-year-old got hold of the .25-caliber pistol that discharged, firing a bullet that struck his little brother in the neck/head area on Tuesday.

The incident happened on A Street in Hillsboro.

Graves said it's unknown whether any charges will be brought in the case.

"When we get through, everything will be presented to the district attorney and we'll go from there," Graves said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the 3-year-old is staying with family members, officials said.

Graves said the incident is a vivid reminder to gun owners to keep their weapons secured out of the reach of children.

Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBenton or www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.