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A 28-year-old Red Oak, Iowa, man was critically injured Wednesday night after accidentally shooting himself in the face.

Cody Allen Keith Tunnell believed that a weapon he was handling was unloaded, Red Oak police said after investigating the shooting scene and interviewing witnesses.

Police said the shooting occurred about 10 p.m. at a residence in the 400 block of East Coolbaugh Street.

Tunnell was taken to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak and then transferred by medical helicopter to Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Thursday morning, the med center said that Tunnell was in serious condition.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation assisted Red Oak police with the investigation into the shooting.

Authorities said their probe into the case remains under investigation.