PITTSFIELD — A 12-year-old Pittsfield boy was injured in the foot on Saturday when the .22-caliber rifle he was holding discharged accidentally.

According to Pittsfield police Officer Chris Tremblay, he was called to Sebasticook Valley Hospital Saturday morning, where the boy was being treated for a gunshot wound that broke his toe.

Tremblay said the boy was preparing to target practice with a friend of his mother when the accident occurred. The boy was holding the gun, pointed at the floor, as other members of the group prepared to leave. No one was aware the gun was loaded, according to Tremblay. When it discharged the bullet went through the boy’s sneaker, striking one toe, and he was taken to the hospital for treatment.