BROCKTON, Mass. (WHDH) -- A day at the park turned dangerous when someone used a BB gun to take aim at a young boy.

“As a parent, it’s scary. It really is,” said a local mother.

The 11-year-old didn't even realize he'd been hit, until he went home and his mom realized he was bleeding.

Police said the incident happened around 6 p.m. Sunday at the James Edgar Playground. Police logs show the boy was shot in the chest with a BB gun. The mother didn’t notify police until about 9 p.m.

“I think it’s really shocking. I’ve lived here for three years. I haven’t seen any gun or violence here. It’s a field that people come to play around, so it’s very shocking,” said Moses Sunday, a neighbor.

Another neighbor said this is indication that stronger gun laws are needed.

“I’m horrified. I’m horrified by all the guns and all of the violence, all around. Not only this city, but the whole country. Just horrified by the guns and the violence,” said Marilyn Johnson who lives in the area.

The boy was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton and then transferred to Mass General Hospital.