A 12-year-old Birmingham boy was shot while playing with friends outside his apartment Friday afternoon.

Police and Birmingham firefighters responded about 3:15 p.m. Friday to a small apartment complex in the 1800 block of Carson Road.

Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said they arrived to find the young victim inside an apartment on the floor. Police radio communications indicated the boy had been shot in the back.

He was taken by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service to Children’s of Alabama. His condition was not immediately known, but he was responsive when he left the scene.

Wade said the boy was in the grassy courtyard area of his home when they were approached by a group of males and one of the suspects began firing a gun. The victim then ran into his apartment.

The suspects are possibly juveniles or in their late teens.

Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.