Man Arrested on Gun Charges After Friend Accidentally Shoots Him: Police

A 25-year-old Hicksville man faces illegal gun charges after police said his friend picked up the man’s shotgun and accidentally shot him in the leg in late January.

According to authorities Michael Schmeltzer was in his Halsey Avenue bedroom with a friend on Jan. 22 when the friend picked up a shotgun from the bed that he thought was a BB gun. The weapon accidentally discharged and struck Schmeltzer in the lower left leg, police said.

Schmeltzer was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

An investigation revealed the shotgun was not legally purchased and Schmeltzer surrendered to Second Squad detectives in Woodbury on Monday at 7:35 a.m.

Schmeltzer is charged with criminal possession of a firearm and second degree criminal possession of a weapon. He will be arraigned Monday at First District Court in Hempstead.

Image via NCPD