Charges filed in local accidental shooting

A Midland man is facing charges in connection with an accidental shooting of a woman that occurred at an East Carpenter Street home in March. The woman was struck in her abdomen during the incident.

Leon Warren, 39, is charged with careless discharge of a firearm causing injury or death, and possession of firearms under the influence.

The incident occurred on the night of March 24 at the East Carpenter Street home where the suspect and victim live, the affidavit filed in the case states. Midland Police were called there at 8:10 p.m. for a report of a woman who had been shot. The police department did not previously report the accidental shooting.

At the scene, the officer learned the suspect and victim had been hanging out and had been drinking alcohol. The suspect, who was visibly upset about what had happened, told the officer the slide of his pistol had been sticking the last time he’d fired it so he decided to clean it.

After cleaning the gun, he tried to replace the gun in a small safe and heard a loud “pop,” the affidavit states. He did not know exactly what happened, but the victim jumped out of bed with blood on her shirt.

The victim said she’d been asleep when she was awakened by a loud noise, and realized she’d been shot.

The suspect dialed 911, bringing paramedics to the scene. The victim was taken to the MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland, where she learned the bullet had entered her abdomen near her left side and exited without striking any vital organs. She was expected to stay overnight and be released the next day, the affidavit states.

Warren was arraigned on the charges on May 16, and Midland County District Court Judge Michael D. Carpenter granted a court-appointed attorney to the case. Warren is free on a $5,000, 10 percent bond, with conditions including no firearms possession, and no drugs or alcohol.

The first count is a high court misdemeanor which is punishable by up to two years in prison; the second count is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail.