Westport Man Charged After Shooting Himself While Cleaning Gun: Police

WESTPORT, CT — The 47-year-old Westport man who reportedly shot himself while cleaning his gun last month was arrested on reckless endangerment and related charges by Westport police this week.

Domenic Demace suffered a leg injury in the incident, and a juvenile was in the home at the time, according to police.

The incident occurred on March 8 after Norwalk police contacted Westport police that Norwalk Hospital was treating Demace after the shooting.

"It was reported that the incident happened at approximately 6:00am that morning on Oak Street, Westport," wrote police in a statement. "The patient was Dominic Demace, who claimed to have accidentally shot himself in the leg while cleaning a gun. Detectives served a Search Warrant on the home to further investigate the incident. A warrant was submitted to Norwalk Court for the arrest of Demace. Since a juvenile was in the house on the date and time of this incident, the additional charge of Risk of Injury was added."

Demace was arrested on Thursday and charged with:

• Reckless Endangerment, 1st degree
• Unlawful Discharge of Firearm
• Risk of Injury to Child

He was held in lieu of a $25,000 bond and scheduled to appear in Norwalk Superior Court on April 17.

Photo: Domenic Demace. Photo credit: Westport Police Department