Port Huron man, 22, drives himself to the hospital after accidentally shooting his leg

Bryce Airgood | Times Herald

Port Huron police responded to an incident Friday afternoon after a 22-year-old man accidentally shot himself in the leg.

Port Huron Police Sgt. Douglas Decker said law enforcement received the call for the incident around 12:30 p.m. and it occurred in the 1300 block of Palmer Court.

Decker said it was classified as a “negligent discharge of a firearm.”

The man was alone in the residence and preparing to clean the gun, some sort of rifle, when he dropped it on the floor. A round discharged and struck him in the leg, Decker said.

He said the injury was non-life threatening and the man drove himself to the hospital.

“It could’ve been much worse,” Decker said.

The hospital reported the incident to police. Officers went and talked to the man, searched the residence and felt his story checked out, Decker said.

When it comes to gun safety, Decker said people should treat all firearms as if they’re loaded.

“And never point a firearm at anything you’re not willing to destroy,” he said.

Bryce Airgood is the business reporter for the Times Herald. Have questions or a story idea? You can contact her at (810) 989-6202 or bairgood@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @bairgood123.