A five-year-old boy was shot in the cheek with an air rifle as he played with other children in a family member's back garden.
Harry Brakes, 5, was playing outside a relative's home on the outskirts of Leicester when the adults heard him "crying out" after being shot with a small "dart-like" pellet, Leicestershire Live reports.
He was rushed to hospital following the incident, but was told to return the next day to remove the shard of steel lodged under his skin.
Harry's dad, 37-year-old Martyn, told Leicestershire Live he "wants answers" about the shooting, and that his boy is still in pain five days later.
"The other night Harry was upset and he was still in pain," Martyn said.
"He said to me, 'I wish this hadn't happened - it's hurting'. It's horrible to see and as his dad I want answers.
"He had to spend all Wednesday evening in hospital, then was back in again the next day from 7.15am until about 8pm that night.
"They got the bullet out - it looks like a small metal dart."
Just after midday the adults at the property "heard a pop" and Harry "crying out" in pain.
They looked to see if any windows were open but couldn't find the shooter.
"I don't now if it was deliberate or accidental that he was hit. But that doesn't matter - someone is responsible for this," Martyn said.
"He's just a five-year-old lad and I hoped they would take this more seriously."
A spokesman for Leicestershire Police told Leicestershire Live : "At around 3pm on Wednesday 4 August, officers received a report from a member of the public that a boy had been shot with an air rifle at a property on Stafford Leys, Leicester Forest East.
"Officers attended and the boy was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary with a non-life changing injury. He has since been discharged."
