Police: 13-year-old in Athens hospital after being shot by 3-year-old nephew

A 13-year-old in Athens has been hospitalized after being shot by his 3-year-old nephew Saturday afternoon, according to authorities.

Athens-Clarke County police were called to a home in the 100 block of Essex Court around 2 p.m. and found the boy with a gunshot wound, police said in a statement. He was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.

Police said the preliminary investigation revealed that the 3-year-old got access to a firearm and accidentally discharged it, striking the 13-year-old.