A 25-year-old Festus man accidentally shot himself in the thigh Monday evening (Feb. 29) at a friend’s home in Hillsboro, authorities report.
The injury was not life threatening, but doctors did not remove the bullet, Hillsboro Police Chief Charles Bennett said.
“They decided to leave the bullet in, saying it could do more damage to take it out than leave it in,” Bennett said. “He (the victim) was treated and released at (midnight) March 1.”
Bennett said the incident occurred around 9 p.m. in the 4700 block of Oakwood Drive.
“The victim was looking at his friend’s 9 mm Luger and emptied the chamber – thought it was empty,” Bennett said. “He pulled the trigger and shot himself in the left thigh.”
Bennett said no charges are being considered.
“It was determined to be an accident,” he said.
Bennett said police impounded the weapon, but the victim’s friend owns it legally and police will return it to him when the investigation is concluded.
After the shooting, the victim was transported by Valle Ambulance to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in south St. Louis County.