'Accident': Cory Golightly, a sheriff's deputy in McCracken County, Kentucky, reportedly shot his own mother by dropping his gun

A sheriff's deputy reportedly shot his own mother after dropping his gun at a wedding reception.

Cory Golightly, a deputy in McCracken County, Kentucky, was adjusting his jacket when his gun and holster came loose and fell to the ground, a witness said.

The weapon fired when it hit the floor, allegedly shooting Golightly's own mother during the ceremony at the Baptist church in the town of Bardwell.

According to local news station WPSD, his mother was taken to hospital and is now in a stable condition.

Witnesses told the channel that he shouted his mother's name after the shooting and told her to be 'calm' while help came.

Golightly was not on duty at the time. It is unclear whether the gun was a service weapon from the sheriff's department, or one of his own.

Jon Hayden, the McCracken County sheriff, said Golightly's gun and holster were not the ones the department issued him.

According to WPSD, Golightly has been put on paid administrative leave while the neighboring sheriff's department in Carlisle County investigates.