UPDATED at 4:05 p.m. with more details.

JENNINGS • A 9-year-old boy survived a gunshot to the back fired by his 10-year-old brother while they were home alone here about 1:15 p.m. today, police said.

The wounded boy was hospitalized and expected to recover, police said. His older brother was taken from their home in the 5500 block of Albia Terrace by St. Louis County police.

It was not clear whose gun was involved but police said it belonged to a relative. Police said an investigation continues and that charges are possible.

Officials said the shooting occurred in a bedroom and that the older boy took the victim into a bathroom to clean up the wound.

Police said the boys were home alone at the time.

The shooter's great uncle, Joe Jefferson, 41, of Woodson Terrace, said the boys' aunt had been watching them today but left them alone for about 10 to 15 minutes to run an errand.

Jefferson said he's relieved the boy will recover but said the shooting is a reminder about children and guns.

"There's no such thing as a responsible 10-year-old" around guns, he said. "They were playing with the gun in the house and it went off."

Jefferson said the wounded boy is being treated at St. Louis Children's Hospital.