Felon Arrested After Shooting Self While 'Playing Cowboy'

HUDSON, FL — A 36-year-old Hudson man learned the hard way that he's no Wyatt Earp. Pasco County Sheriff's deputies said he shot himself in the leg while "playing cowboy."

Deputies were contacted by medical personnel Saturday, Dec. 14, at 6:30 p.m. after Matthew Noffsinger showed up at the hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg.

Noffsinger told deputies he was out in the woods when a stranger shot him. Deputies, however, noted that the trajectory of the gunshot wound indicated that the bullet was shot from above.

Deputies said Noffsinger eventually admitted that he lied. He said he shot himself with a .22-caliber revolver while fooling around, pretending to be a gunslinger.

Since Noffsinger is a convicted felon, he is not permitted to have a firearm. Deputies recovered the gun and charged Noffsinger with possession of a firearm by a felon.