NATCHEZ — A teenager was charged Monday after accidentally shooting another teen while playing with a stolen gun on Texas Street.

Natchez Police Detective Jerry Ford said the 17-year-old male, who was charged as a juvenile with aggravated assault, was sitting in the backseat of a car when the gun he was holding reportedly was fired accidentally and a bullet struck an 18-year-old male sitting in the front passenger seat.

Ford said the victim was transported to Natchez Regional Medical Center and is now being treated for a collapsed lung at an Alexandria hospital.

When officers arrived to the scene, the 17-year-old, the victim and another witness told police an unknown male had shot the victim then fled.

The 17-year-old later, “with a heavy heart,” told police who responded to the scene that he shot the victim by accident, according to a police report.

The 17-year-old assisted police in recovering a .22 caliber revolver that was tossed into a bayou.

Ford said the serial number on the gun was filed off.

“Right now we don’t know how it got into their hands, but we do know it is stolen,” he said.

The 17-year-old has been released from custody, Ford said, and the case will proceed through youth court.