(KAIR)--A 3-year-old boy, injured Tuesday after finding what police say was an unsecured gun in an Atchison home, is continuing to recover. “We’re just very excited to know that the little boy’s condition has improved, and we’re very optimistic about his recovery,” Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News late Wednesday morning.

Wilson said the child suffered a single gunshot after finding the gun inside the pocket of a jacket, or sweater, in a room on the second floor of the home, located in the 1100 block of Santa Fe Street. “The child apparently found that gun in that clothing, and while handling the gun it discharged, striking him in the abdomen. There was one other person in the residence at that time, and that would be his mother. As soon as this happened, became aware of it, [she] called us right away.”

Police, and other emergency responders arrived on the scene, and found the child to be conscious and talking.

He was first taken to Atchison Hospital and then flown by helicopter to Kansas City’s Children’s Mercy where Wilson said the boy underwent surgery Tuesday night.

The investigation is ongoing. “We’re continuing to look into some of the background information as to the weapon itself,” Wilson said.

The accidental shooting occurred Tuesday afternoon shortly before 3:00.

Editor's note: below is the story as first reported shortly after the accident. 

(KAIR)--An accidental shooting sent a 3-year-old child to the hospital.

It happened Tuesday afternoon, shortly before 3:00, at an Atchison residence in the 1100 block of Santa Fe Street.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the preliminary investigation indicates the child shot himself. “What it appears to be is the child located the gun. The gun discharged, struck the child. [The mother] was in the house [who] immediately called for us. We were here very quickly, as were the EMTs.”

Wilson said the child was transported for hospitalized treatment with what initially appeared to be serious injuries.

However, Wilson said the child was conscious, and is expected to survive. “In fact, we were speaking to the child," Wilson said. "He was conscious when we first got here. Police officers attended to him very quickly, and we were getting verbal responses from him.”

The child was first taken to the Atchison Hospital and then flown by helicopter to a Kansas City hospital.

This is a breaking story, and MSC News will provide updates as new information becomes available.