Greenup County , Kentucky

When Bryan Sparks got a call his brother his brother was shot Sunday night he was understandably scared. He said, "You're thinking, 'Is he okay? Is he alive? What's going on?'"

Surprisingly, he was not shocked. He tells us it has happened before in their neighborhood. Several months ago, another bullet went through his parents' home on Mayor Ridge in Greenup County.

Sunday night, his brother Kenny was leaving for church with his wife and two daughters. He said that's when he was shot. Sparks said, it "hit him in the back, right between the shoulder blades."

Troopers tell us they believe someone was firing rounds here, on Happy Ridge, about a mile away from Sparks' home. While they believe the shooting is accidental, they're urging people to be more careful. Trooper Michael Murriel said, "While you're out hunting or shooting or having target practice, be aware of the surroundings. Make sure you are able to account for the rounds that you're firing."

Sparks is recovering and is in stable condition, but his brother wants anyone shooting in the area to know their actions have consequences, and can quickly turn tragic. "You know summertime, kids are all out here playing in the yard, and it's scary, you know. It makes you want to keep your kids inside."

Sparks said he knows their family is lucky. "It could have been a matter of inches and he'd have been in big trouble. We're very fortunate. He thanks God for every breath now, because he was scared."

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A Kentucky man was hospitalized after being hit by a stray bullet inside of his home on Sunday.

Kenneth Sparks, 29, of Greenup County, Kentucky, was hit by the bullet that apparently came through the back wall of his home. It happened about 5:30 p.m. Sunday, when Sparks was getting ready for church, according to a news release from Kentucky State Police.

Sparks was taken to Cabell Huntington Hospital and was listed in stable condition. Police are not sure who fired the gun.

If you have any information about this incident, call the Kentucky State Police at 1-800-222-5555.

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