6-year-old boy gravely injured in shooting

A 6-year-old boy was clinging to life late Tuesday after he was shot in the head at a northern Spokane County home.

The boy’s 11-year-old brother called medics to 4115 E. Eloika Lake Road about 5:15 p.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said in a press release.

The victim was transported to Riverside High School where he was picked up by a helicopter and taken to a downtown hospital. Reagan said the boy was in “grave” condition about 9 p.m.

The 11-year-old told deputies that his brother was shot by an intruder, but that story was soon discounted, Sgt. Jim Goodwin said at the scene.

Goodwin said deputies still were investigating the circumstances of the shooting.

Reagan said the boy likely was shot with a .22-caliber rifle.

The boys live with their father, who was at work in Spokane at the time of the incident, Reagan said.

The father was contacted by the Sheriff’s Office and arrived home to be present when investigators interviewed the older son, Goodwin said.

“He is of an age where we need to talk to a parent,” Goodwin said.

Their mother met the gunshot victim at the hospital and was interviewed by deputies, Reagan said.