An 8-year-old was shot in the head in what appears to be an accident, police say.

The boy is in critical condition. Police say it appears the boy accidentally shot himself with an illegal firearm that he found in his home. 

The NYPD confirms the victim was shot at 5 Fordham Hill Oval just after 12:30 p.m.

A neighbor tells News 12 the boy’s father owns a nightclub, and that he believes that is why there was a firearm in the house.

News 12 is told the gun was in a closet inside a safe but that it is unclear if it was locked.

Police say it was a 9-millimeter handgun and that the bullet did not penetrate the 8-year-old’s skull.

Councilmember Fernando Cabrera, who lives in the building, says when the father heard what happened--the entrance gate wasn’t opening fast enough, so he drove right into it. 

"It was a traumatic event for many of the members of our community,” said Cabrera. 

Citizen App video captured police crews responding to the scene near Devoe Park.

The child was taken to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.

Police say the incident is under investigation.