Man shoots self while going to bathroom

NEW HAVEN -- A man was hospitalized on Christmas Eve after shooting himself while using the bathroom, police said.

The incident happened shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday at 166 Thompson St. in New Haven.

Darrel Johnson, 51, originally told police that he had been shot during an attempted robbery, police said. However, Johnson later changed his story and told police he had actually shot himself.

Johnson said he had recently obtained a small caliber revolver for personal protection and had forgotten he had moved it from his pocket to his waist band, police said.

Johnson told police while he was using the bathroom the gun fell, striking the toilet and going off.

Johnson suffered a gunshot wound to the leg.

Johnson, a convicted felon, could face charges pending the outcome of an investigation.