A 12-year-old boy in Bellevue was shot in the face Tuesday night by his teenage brother and was in very serious condition at Harborview Medical Center in downtown Seattle.

Early facts are that the 12-year-old was in an altercation with his 16-year-old brother during which a handgun was produced, and the older boy shot the younger boy in the mouth area, according to the Bellevue police.

At about 7:30 p.m., the Bellevue Fire Department responded to a 911 call of someone bleeding at the 12th Place Condos. There was a strong Spanish-language barrier during the initial call but the 911 dispatcher was able to determine that there was a disturbance at the location and police were called.

The 12-year-old boy was rushed to Harborview with life-threatening injuries. Bellevue Police transported the boy’s mother and sister there also.

The teenager has been detained by detectives for questioning.

The motive for the shooting is not known nor is it known how the 16-year-old came to be in possession of a loaded handgun.

The investigation is ongoing.