Editor’s Note: Officials with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks said the boy was still alive as of December 5, 2023. The following story has been updated to reflect the new information.

JONES COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT) – An 11-year-old boy is still in critical condition after authorities said he was shot by his 12-year-old sister during a hunting incident in Jones County.

Authorities said the incident happened on Saturday, December 2 just after 9:30 p.m. on Alex Knight Road in southern Jones County.

Jones County deputies said the boy was shot in the head with a .22 caliber rifle by his sister while hunting rabbits. They said the children’s 19-year-old step-brother was with them at the time of the incident.

The 11-year-old was taken to Forrest General Hospital in critical condition.

Deputies said MDWFP agents were notified about the hunting incident and responded to the scene. MDWFP is the primary agency investigating the incident.

Investigators said the names of the victim and his sister are being withheld due to their age.