Norwalk Man Charged After Cops Said He Shot Himself

NORWALK, CT — A 26-year-old Norwalk man was arrested on a warrant charging him with weapons offenses after Norwalk police discovered the man had shot himself in the shoulder with an altered flare gun, according to authorities.

Josue Saravina-Pineda, who police said is a convicted felon prohibited from having a firearm, surrendered to police Monday and was charged with criminal possession of a firearm and unlawful discharge of a firearm in connection with the Sept. 24 shooting.

The case began on that date when authorities were called to Norwalk Hospital about a victim suffering from a single gunshot wound.

"Detectives began investigating the incident and spoke to the victim who admitted he was playing with a gun in his backyard and accidentally discharged the gun, striking himself near his right shoulder," said Norwalk Police Lt. Jared Zwickler in a statement. "During the investigation, detectives recovered a flare gun that had been altered to hold and fire a single bullet."

Detectives soon discovered that the victim, Saravina-Pineda, convicted status and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

Saravina-Pineda was held in lieu of bail of $50,000, and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.