7-Year-Old Boy Shot in Face Outside Lake Highlands Apartment Complex

An 7-year-old boy is in the hospital after he was shot in the face outside of a Lake Highlands apartment complex on Tuesday.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story gave the boy's age as 8 years old. He is only 7, according to updated information from the Dallas Police Department.

They boy, whose name has not been released, was shot on the 9400 block of Royal Lane, near Abrams Road, at La Bella Palms apartments. 

The boy's aunt says he was outside playing when he was shot, and ran home.

Police searched the apartment building for several hours and say they have a suspect in custody. They traced the suspect to a car nearby.

Residents say they are shocked to hear about the news. 

“They were running around playing tag, and the next thing you know you hear a loud bang,” said neighbor Justin Yancey.

“It’s ridiculous," said Janyce Dunning. "Shooting kids, getting hurt. It is ridiculous. We are scared. I don’t even let my kids go outside."

The boy was taken to Children's Medical Center Dallas.

NBC 5's Julie Fine contributed to this report.

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