Man Shot Himself While Picking Up Gun In Woodbridge, Police Claim

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A man in Woodbridge was taken to the hospital on Tuesday after he was shot in the upper body, the Prince William County Police Department said. Authorities claimed that the man was shot as he attempted to pick up gun that he had dropped.

At 2:03 p.m. on Tuesday, police received a report of gunshots on Horizon Court in Woodbridge. Officers responded to the Misty Ridge Apartment complex to investigate the report.

Callers told authorities that they heard a gunshot before a black sedan fled the area. While officers were investigating the incident, they learned that a man was being treated at a nearby hospital for a gunshot wound. The wound was not considered life-threatening, police said.

Through their investigation, officers determined that as the man was getting into his vehicle, he dropped the firearm that was in his waistband. As he went to retrieve the firearm, a round fired from the gun, striking the man in the upper body, authorities said in their report.

Eventually, the man went to a nearby hospital to receieve treatment. No other injuries were reported. During their investigation, officers said they found a home in the area that appeared to have been struck by projectiles.

After authorities completed their investigation, they arrested the man, a 20-year-old from Woodbridge. He was charged with one count of reckless handling of a fiream. He was released on a court summons, and his court date is pending.

See also: Drive-By Shooting At Stonebridge Town Center Injures One: Police

Have a story idea? Email me at liam.griffin@patch.com with tips, questions, comments, or concerns.