UPDATE 11/15: TWO YOUNG CHILDREN WHO WERE SHOT AT BLAINE, AS INVESTIGATION (AND QUESTIONS) CONTINUES

Two young brothers were hit by a single bullet from a handgun earlier this week in a freakish way. Incredibly, they have both lived to tell the tale — one that is a warning for all parents.

The shooting incident happened around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, November 13, in the near the town of Blaine in Lawrence County, Kentucky.

Police officers investigating the case said the kids were not playing with the gun and may not have even realized it was there.

Their boy’s pastor, Daniel Castle, said it is a miracle they were ready to come home a little over 24 hours later.

“They were very, very lucky and blessed,”  Castle said.

It is perhaps the biggest understatement ever for brothers Ethan Martin, 11, and Mason Fife, 4, and is  most likely for the rest of their lives too.

One bullet went through Mason’s leg and came to rest inside Ethan’s body.

“You’ will probably never hear about that again,” Mr. Castle stated.

Daniel Castle is the pastor of Unity Baptist Church and also the District 4 Constable that covers the southwestern area of Lawrence County. When he heard the address on Ramey Branch Road, he knew exactly who it was thanks to picking the boys up consistently for church.

“Distraught honestly,” Castle stated. “Sick to your stomach to think kids are involved in any type of shooting.”

But when Daniel Castle arrived at their home, both of the boys were calm, they were not crying, and even giving a thumbs up.

Law enforcement officials reported their mother brought out the .22 caliber target pistol earlier in the day and left it on the bed. The boys were physically roughhousing later that and did not realize the gun was there, accidentally causing it to go off.

“It is an act of God,” said Castle. “It is one of those things where they had protection, divine protection. You can not explain it any other way.”

The family declined to be interviewed, but an uncle told us that the mother took the gun out because the family has been robbed before, and she thought she heard someone prowling around.

While troopers say it is an accident, constable Castle,  who is a hunter — and he was actually in a deer blind hunting stand when he heard the call — as well as being a retired Army sergeant, disagrees.

“We like to say these things are an accident, but they are not,” he said. “This is preventable. This is not an accident. This was because a gun was left out unsecured and loaded in the house. It should not have happened.”

Mr. Castle said even with a gap of seven years, both brothers are quite close. He described Ethan as a solid kid with a good heart who takes good care of his little brother, and Mason as a wild youngster with an infectious smile who has no fear.

Now, pastor Castle is thankful that single bullet did not destroy that connection of the young brothers.

“When you see one, you see the other. They have got a strong bond,” Castle said.

Daniel Castle said the bullet went into Mason’s leg above the knee and exited at the calf, but missed his kneecap. He was already up and walking the next day. After the bullet passed thru Mason’s leg, the bullet nipped Ethan’s lung as it traveled from his side up to his neck. Doctors claimed removing the bullet would do more damage than leaving it in.

Constable Castle reported both boys are already tired of hospital food and are ready to come home.

Meanwhile, Kentucky State Police said no charges have been filed as of now, but the case is likely to be presented to a Lawrence County grand jury.