An East Palo Alto man is in critical condition after accidentally shooting himself in the head while drinking on New Year’s Eve, police said.

The shooting took place at a home on the 900 block of Bay Road just after 9 p.m., police said. Officers arrived to find a 26-year-old resident suffering from a severe gunshot wound to his head.

Paramedics treated the man at the scene and took him to a hospital for additional care. He was in critical condition as of Wednesday, police said.

An investigation revealed that the man had been drinking in addition to handling his loaded firearm, police said.

“The investigation at this point shows the victim accidentally shot himself in his head,” East Palo Alto police Sgt. Jeff Liu said in a news release

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the East Palo Alto Police Department’s dispatch center at 650-321-1112. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can text or call 650-409-6792, or email epa@tipnow.org.

Email Jason Green at jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; follow him at twitter.com/jgreendailynews.