A 12-year-old boy is in critical condition after being shot inside a Phoenix home, police say.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, there was a call made about an unknown trouble at a home near 17th Avenue and Tonto Street at 6:35 p.m. on Sunday.
When police arrived they found 12-year-old Eric Mendez with a single gunshot wound. The boy was transported to an area hospital where he is expected to survive.
Phoenix police said Robert Chavez, reportedly the boy's uncle, was showing him a gun when it discharged and struck the 12-year-old.
Mendez's mother Erica tells ABC15, the bullet went through Eric's arm -- pierced his chest hitting his heart, lungs and liver and then exited out his opposite arm.
"We could hear Eric laughing and then the gunshot went off, just one gunshot, my sister ran to the door and started screaming, said Erica.
"I thought he was gone, he would take a big gasp of air and stop breathing again and then he would take another gasp of air and then he stopped."
"My brother he was just crying, just telling me he was sorry and it was an accident he was trying to pick up my son and tell him he was sorry." "I don't hate him, I just wish he would've been more careful."
Chavez is a prohibited possessor which means he cannot have a gun. He was booked for one count of Aggravated Assault and one count of Misconduct Involving Weapons.
