TOMS RIVER, New Jersey (AP) - Authorities are deciding whether to charge anyone after police say a six-year-old was shot in the head by a four-year-old.

The older boy is in a serious condition.

Authorities are still investigating how the younger child obtained the .22-calibre rifle from his family's home on Monday night.

Police Chief Michael Mastronardy says the children were outside the four-year-old's home when the boy went inside, got the rifle and shot the six-year-old about 15 yards (15m) away. It's not clear if the 4-year-old pulled the trigger or if the rifle accidentally discharged.

The parents of the four-year-old were home at the time.

No names have been released.

The shooting comes amid debate over gun control laws in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting.