Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS Police investigating the incident in which a child suffered a gunshot wound to the hand look around outside 299 North Stark Highway as part of their investigation. (Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS)

WEARE — Police are investigating a Thursday morning incident at a residence on North Stark Highway that reportedly involved a 4-year-old boy suffering a gunshot wound to the hand.

First-responders were called to a large apartment building at 299 North Stark Highway, which is Route 114, around 8 a.m., and upon arrival located the injured child.

The multi-unit building is in the north-central part of town, just south of the intersection of North Stark Highway and Concord Stage Road, which is Route 77.

Weare ambulance personnel treated the boy at the scene then transported him to Concord Hospital. The severity of the injury was not immediately known.

Police told news outlets that the bullet that struck the boy was found lodged in a wall. There were two other people in the apartment at the time, one of whom was said to be the boy’s mother.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the boy had gotten ahold of the 9mm handgun, and at some point it discharged, causing the boy’s hand injury.

How he was able to get ahold of the firearm, and who owns it, are part of the investigation, police told news outlets.

Once the ambulance left with the boy on board, several Weare officers began interviewing occupants of the multi-unit apartment building, while other investigators came and went from the house, occasionally removing items.

At one point an officer entered the home with a hammer, then exited a short time later carrying a piece of wood that appeared to be a section of baseboard or door casing.

A representative of the Hillsborough County Attorney’s office arrived at the scene, and officials said the Division of Children Youth and Families had been notified of the incident.

Jeffrey Hastings contributed material to this report.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.