At 10:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, Columbus Police Officer Ron Diaz stopped a car at the intersection of W. Mills Street and Walker Street for speeding. As Officer Diaz approached the vehicle the driver began frantically waving his hands and arms at him.

According to the police report, upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Diaz learned the driver, Brandon Lee McCraw, 20, of 6402 E. NC Hwy. 108 in Mill Spring, had removed a firearm from a holster at his side to place on the seat and intended to advise the officer of his possession of a firearm.

In the process of removing the weapon from its holster, McCraw shot himself in the hip with one round, with an exit wound in the thigh.

Polk County EMS and Columbus Fire were notified and McCraw was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital where he was treated and released, according to an email from Columbus Police Chief Chris Beddingfield.

McCraw was issued a speeding citation. The weapon, a 9 mm Glock 26, and another firearm, as well as magazines, were seized from the vehicle, according to the incident report.