Festus Police recently responded to a call from Mercy Hospital Jefferson concerning an accidental gunshot wound.
Police Chief Doug Wendel said hospital staff reported the gunshot wound about 5:30 p.m. Jan. 31. He said officers responded to the hospital where they spoke with the victim, an 18-year-old Festus man, who told them the incident occurred while he was inside his vehicle parked on the Schnucks parking lot in Gannon Plaza in Festus.
“He said he went to move his handgun from the driver’s side door compartment to his glove box before entering the store,” Wendel said. “He stated as he picked up his gun, he dropped it and tried to catch it before it hit the ground, accidentally grabbing the gun by the trigger and it went off, shooting him in the left arm.”
Wendel said the injury was not life-threatening.
The man was not issued any citations over the incident, he said.