MONROE - Police responded to an accidental discharge of a firearm which shot an 11 year-old boy in the cheek.
Police say the incident happened around 3:30 p.m. at 76 Partridge Drive in Monroe after a 911 call was made by a resident inside the home.
Police say at least one other family member was home at the time.
Lt. Keith White of the Monroe Police Department says the homeowner was securing his 9mm handgun when it accidentally discharged and struck his son while both men were in the basement.
"The round had come through the wall from an adjacent area of the basement struck him while he was a family room couch," Lt. White said.
The child was transported to Bridgeport Hospital with non life threatening injuries and was later taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital.
According to public records, the home at 76 Partridge Drive is owned by Vincent Pizzolato.
The incident is under investigation and the owner of the firearm is not currently being held in custody.
Sunday afternoon's events startled many living in the neighborhood, where the thought of owning a gun seems shocking to some people.
"Usually everyone's safe over here in the neighborhood. You wouldn't be expecting to carry a gun around," said Yuen Man Boronski, a woman who lives across the street from the home.
Police are still determining if the firearm is registered and if there were additional guns inside the home.
Police will also examine the 9 mm involved to determine if the misfire was caused by a mechanical or human error.
Lt. White says the incident re-enforces a gun holder's responsibility to operate a firearm safely.
"You always have to be aware of where that gun is pointing, and you always have to take the responsibility for what happens with that gun," said Lt. White.
The father is not facing any criminal charges but police say the case is still under investigation.