An 11-year-old boy who was shot by a police officer returned home from hospital after about a week of treatment.

Adrien Morey spent five days in hospital with a collapsed lung, liver and broken ribs, attorney Carlos Moore said, after an officer shot him in the chest early Saturday.

Aderrien was well enough to leave the hospital Wednesday, and is continuing his recovery at his home in Indianola, about 95 miles northwest of Jackson, Mississippi.

Mr Moore said the family was “demanding justice”.

“An 11-year-old black boy in Indianola came within an inch of losing his life — he did nothing wrong and everything was fine.”

Mr Moore said Aderrien Nakala’s mother told him to call the police around 4am on Saturday after an ex-partner showed up at the house.

Mr Moore said the lady felt threatened, and that the child “called the police to come rescue his mother, called his grandmother to come rescue his mother, and the police came there and escalated the situation”.

Two police officers arrived and one of them kicked in the front door before Mrs. Morey opened it, telling them the man was gone but her three children were inside.

The child does not understand why a police officer shot him

Mr. Moore said Sergeant Greg Capers, who is black, shouted that anyone inside should come out with their hands up.

Mr. Moore said that when Aderrien walked into the living room with nothing in his hands, Capers shot him in the chest.

Indianola City Attorney Kimberly Merchant confirmed to Indianola’s Enterprise Toxin newspaper that Capers was the officer who shot the toddler. Moore said Thursday that Capers has been suspended for pay while the incident is being investigated.

Ms. Morey said her son was “blessed” to be alive but did not understand why a police officer shot him.

“This is my baby, all of you.”

She described what happened as “the worst moment of my life,” adding: “I feel like no one cares – this is my child, all of you.”

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said its agents are looking into what happened and will share their findings with the attorney general’s office.