2-Year-Old Boy Shot in the Head Outside of North Carolina Baptist Church

The father, who is a pastor at the church, said his son is now in "stable condition"

A 2-year-old boy was shot in the head by his 3-year-old brother outside a baptist church in North Carolina, according to multiple reports.

At around 8:26 p.m. on Sunday, the police “received a call in reference to a gunshot wound” at River Valley Baptist Church in Morganton, per a press release issued by the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.

Emergency personnel told police that the boy was shot in the head, the sheriff's office said, adding: “Responding officers secured the scene and Emergency Medical Personnel assessed the patient and promptly requested helicopter transport by MedCenter Air to CMC Main in Charlotte.”

As of Monday, the child was said to be in critical condition at the time and undergoing surgery. The sheriff’s office also said that the "investigation is ongoing, and more information will be released as [things continue to] develop."

PEOPLE reached out to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office for comment but did not immediately receive a response back.

The boy — identified by WCCB Charlotte as Daniel Vines — is the son of pastor Adam Vines, who told the outlet that Daniel and his family were at River Valley Baptist Church for a late Sunday night service.

Related: 4-Year-Old Accidentally Shoots 2-Year-Old in Minnesota

Adam told 3 WBTV the bullet went “behind his ear, but it went across the corner on the lower side instead of going through the brain. His talking, communications, his moving ability, all of that part is still intact.”

“He’s stable right now,” Adam told the outlet, adding “we’re lucky” the damage wasn’t as severe as loved ones initially believed.

Related: 1-Year-Old Boy Hospitalized with Leg Wound After Being Accidentally Shot by 4-Year-Old Brother

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“I feel for the family,” neighbor Teresa Jordan, who saw church members gather around Daniel in the parking lot after the shooting, told WSOC-TV. “It just breaks my heart. It shows you how quick your life can change.”

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