CHARLESTON — The family of a Mason County boy who was shot in the chest said he is making progress following surgery at Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC).

West Virginia State Police reported that 4-year old Nehemiah Matheny of Leon was shot Wednesday night when a gun his 14-year old brother was handling accidentally discharged. Troopers said the bullet went through a wall and a television entertainment center before lodging in the younger boy’s chest.

He was initially transported to Jackson General Hospital in Ripley and then moved to CAMC where he underwent surgery. He was listed in critical condition, but is showing steady improvement, according to reports from family members.

In a statement to West Virginia State Police, Matheny’s older brother said he took the .25 caliber handgun from his mother’s closet after she left the house Wednesday evening. The boy said he took the gun to his room, where it accidentally discharged.

Troopers from the Ripley Detatchment began the initial investigation after the boy was taken to Jackson General, then alerted troopers at the Mason County Detatchment, who went to the Leon residence to begin gathering evidence.

Investigators from the South Charleston State Police Unit questioned the boy’s mother at CAMC.

The West Virginia State Police Crime Scene Unit was called in to collect evidence at the Matheny home and will turn over any findings to the Mason County prosecutor’s office. No charges have been filed in the case at this time.