SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- A 15-year-old is in the hospital Sunday after he was shot in the face at a home.

Springfield Police said the teen is at OHSU in Portland with life-threatening injuries. As of Monday his condition has improved, and he's able to communicate, but he cannot speak.

The shooting happend around 10:45 a.m. at a home on Kenray Loop.

Detectives said a preliminary investigation indicates that the two male teens got ahold of a .38 caliber revolver that wasn't locked up. Springfield Police say the suspect intentionally used it to shoot his friend, and the motive is still unknown.

Tom Myers, a neighbor, said he walked over to the scene after seeing several patrol cars and an ambulance.

He said he saw the victim being taken away on a stretcher with his face covered.

"A lot of people just think they're toys, and they're not.  You can't recall them back once you shoot the bullet there, that's it," Myers said.

Detectives said the gun belonged to the homeowner who was not there when the incident occured. They questioned the teen who fired the weapon. He has since been charged with second-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is now lodged at Serbu Juvenile Justice Center in Eugene. The District Attorney will decide whether or not the suspect will be tried as an adult and whether the gun owner faces any criminal liability.

Police are continuing their investigation.