HURON, Ohio — A 13-year-old boy remained in critical condition Wednesday after a friend accidentally shot him in the back Tuesday, according to Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth.

Matthew Fluty and his friend Dale Long, 15, were preparing to go bird hunting about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at young Fluty’s house in Berlin Township when Dale discharged a pump-action shotgun he was trying to clear. The shot struck the Fluty youth in the back, Sheriff Sigsworth said.

Young Fluty was treated by emergency personnel at the scene and flown to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center.

A spokesman for the hospital said she had no information on a patient by his name. No charges have been filed, but the incident is still under investigation.

Officers want to learn how the boys obtained the weapon, Sheriff Sigsworth said, among other questions. No adults were present. Young Fluty’s father owns the gun.

“We have not had an opportunity to interview Mr. Fluty in any detail, so one thing we certainly want to do is speak to him and get his statement once he’s able to speak with us,” the sheriff said.

Contact Jon Victor at: jvictor@theblade.com, 419-724-6050, or on Twitter @jon_victor_.

First Published June 9, 2016, 4:00 a.m.