MONROE — An 11-year-old boy was shot in the cheek Sunday afternoon when his father’s gun accidentally went off in an adjacent room.

Police responded to the home — on Partridge Drive, off Purdy Hill Lane — just after 3:30 p.m. on a report of an accidental gun discharge. The boy’s father reported the incident.

The resident was in the family’s basement putting his 9 mm handgun away when it went off, firing a round through a nearby wall, Police Lt. Keith White said.

“The round had come through the wall from an adjacent area of the basement and struck (the boy) while he was on a family room couch,” White said. “He ended up receiving facial injuries. They do not appear to be life-threatening injuries.”

Although the boy was first transported to Bridgeport Hospital, he was later transferred to Yale-New Haven Hospital due to the nature of his injury, White said.

It was unclear whether the gun’s locking mechanism failed or how exactly the gun went off. “We’ll be going through the gun piece by piece, talking it over with an armorist, to see if it’s possibly a gun issue or human error,” White said.

He did not say whether charges would be filed, and it was unclear whether he had a permit for the weapon. “The case is still under investigation at this point,” White said.

Police were at the house most of the afternoon collecting evidence. As of Sunday evening, the boy’s father was not in police custody.

“The lesson is you always have to be aware of where that gun is pointing,” White said, “and you are responsible for what happens with that gun. Make sure you are safe with that gun at all times.”

First Selectman Steve Vavrek on Sunday evening said his prayers were with the child and his family.

According to the town assessor’s website, the Partridge Drive home is owned by Vincent and Jacqueline Pizzolato.

Sandy Hook Promise based in Newtown, whose mission is to protect children and prevent gun violence, offers information on gun safety on its website, sandyhookpromise.org.

The organization urges gun owners to “keep your firearm unloaded when it isn’t in use. Never point your gun at yourself or another person, and keep your finger off the trigger, regardless of whether or not your safety device is in the on position.”

Originally published in CT Post.