ROCKFORD — A 55-year-old man who initially told police he was shot during a robbery today in the 500 block of North Court Street apparently was a victim of reckless use of a weapon.

About 4:45 a.m., Rockford police responded to a Court Street apartment in reference to a shooting.

They found Arthur Swearengen suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper leg. He was transported to a Rockford hospital where he was treated for an injury that was not life-threatening.

Swearengen initially said he was approached by two people outside the apartment and was shot during an apparent robbery incident. It was later learned Swearengen was attempting to help a friend fashion a makeshift sling for a shotgun when the gun went off and accidentally struck Swearengen in the leg.

Police said Swearengen was not cooperative, and neither the gun nor his friend were located.

Swearengen, who was found to be wanted on an unrelated Cook County arrest warrant, was treated and released from the hospital and taken to the Winnebago County Jail where he is being held on the out-of-county warrant.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Rockford Police Investigations Bureau at 779-500-6551 or Crime Stoppers 815-963-7867.

Georgette Braun: 815-987-1331; gbraun@rrstar.com; @GeorgetteBraun

Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen