Maine Man Accused Of Shooting Himself In The Foot In Nashua

NASHUA, NH — A man from Maine was arrested in Nashua Saturday accused of shooting himself in the foot and then claiming to be a gunshot victim.

Officers were sent to St. Joseph's Hospital Friday for a report of a man with a gunshot wound to his foot. Officers interviewed Austin Child, 23, of High Street in Dixfield, ME, who had non-life-threatening injuries, according to Lt. Patrick Hannon of the criminal investigation division of the Nashua Police Department.

"Upon further investigation by patrol officers, they determined that Austin had shot himself in the foot and had not been the victim of any crime," Hannon said. "Detectives with the Nashua Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division were notified and assisted patrol officers with the investigation."

Child was charged with felony reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, which is punishable by up to seven years in prison and fines, as well as false report to law enforcement, which carries an up to a year sentence. He was released on $290 cash bail and will be arraigned in Hillsborough County Superior Court at a later date.

Anyone with information about Child or this incident is asked to contact Nashua police Crime Line at 603-589-1665.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Nashua Police Department and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

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