A 16-year-old girl was fighting for her life in hospital after being shot in the face with an air rifle.
The teenager, who has not been named, is thought to have suffered horrific injuries after being shot at an address in Paulton, Somerset, on Monday.
Her 19-year-old boyfriend, Dean Durbin, has been charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm and also with possession of an air weapon while being a prohibited person.
He is due to appear at Bath Magistrates' Court later on Tuesday.
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman described the girl's injuries as "very nasty", but said they were hopeful she would survive.
"A 19-year-old man is due to appear before Bath magistrates following an incident in which a teenage girl suffered serious injuries after being shot with an air rifle.
"Dean Durbin has been charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm and also with possession of an air weapon whilst being a prohibited person.
"The charges follow an incident which happened at an address in Paulton shortly before 6am on New Year's Day.
"The victim of the incident, a 16-year-old girl, is in hospital in Bristol in a critical but stable condition."
