BYESVILLE — A 5-year-old girl who was accidentally shot while visiting her grandmother Monday evening remained in critical condition at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus where she underwent emergency surgery that night.

An occupant inside a Meadowbrook Drive apartment reportedly discharged the weapon and the round traveled through the ceiling into the upstairs apartment where it struck the girl as she danced in front of a television.

Authorities reported the round struck the girl in the leg, and exited her leg before re-entering her leg and traveling into her torso. She was initially transported by United Ambulance to Genesis Hospital in Zanesville and later transferred to the Columbus hospital.

A 37-year-old male taken into custody following the shooting remained incarcerated in the Guernsey County Jail on a felony hold issued by Guernsey County sheriff’s detectives. The male is reportedly a resident of the apartment from which the gunshot was fired.

No other injuries were reported.

According to reports at the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office, a woman called 911 at 6:08 p.m. reported the 5-year-old girl was bleeding from her leg and side. The caller advised the girl had been dancing when she started to cry and the caller observed blood.

United Ambulance, Byesville first responders, State Highway Patrol troopers and deputies were dispatched to residence.

Authorities were alerted at 6:19 p.m. the girl was possibly struck by gunfire.

At 6:22 p.m., a female caller later identified as a property manager reported seeing a bullet hole in the ceiling of the apartment below the grandmother’s residence. She advised the sheriff’s dispatcher that she was unsure where the hole came from and requested to speak with a deputy.

A Byesville first responder confirmed finding a bullet hole in the floor of the apartment where the girl was injured a short time after arriving on scene.

After MedFlight personnel advised they were unable to fly, the girl was transported to the Zanesville hospital before being taken to Columbus.

Additional information regarding her condition was not available as of press time Tuesday. A message left with the hospital had not been returned as of press time.

Reports indicated that medical personnel were requested for the male taken into custody at 6:33 p.m. after he was found unresponsive inside the home suffering from a pre-existing medical condition. He was transported to Southeastern Med and medically cleared before being taken to the county jail just after 8:30 p.m.

Deputies reported a Taurus handgun was secured at the scene of the shooting.

At 7:30 p.m., Guernsey County Children Services was requested by deputies at the scene.

According to reports, a male toddler who lives in the apartment where the shot was fired was released into the custody of his grandmother after his father was transported to the hospital.

The Guernsey County Haven of Hope was also requested at the scene to assist deputies.

The male taken into custody was convicted of child endangering and possession of marijuana on May 8, 2019, after entering negotiated guilty pleas to the misdemeanor charges. The child endangering charge reportedly stemmed from a loaded handgun found lying on a table inside the home when deputies took the male into custody.

He was sentenced to 30 days in jail, which was suspended, and placed on one year of probation. He was also ordered to pay a $150 fine, court costs and serve five days of community service.

The firearm seized as evidence when the case was filed in February 2019 was reportedly returned to the male resident. It was not known as of press time if the gun was the same weapon accidentally discharged Monday night.

Unconfirmed accounts said the 5-year-old victim was visiting her grandmother while her mother was attending classes.

Authorities dispelled initial rumors on social media that an individual trying to commit suicide had shot the girl.

The shooting incident remained under investigation by the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office.