Police believe a teenager who was showing off a gun Monday afternoon when he accidentally shot a friend in the shoulder.

Witnesses told investigators that the suspect, 17, the victim, 18, and others were hanging around a vehicle in the 600 block of Crescent Ridge Road East at 4 p.m. Monday.

The 17-year-old pulled out a pistol and waved it around, said Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit assistant commander Capt. Kip Hart.

The gun went off, striking an 18-year-old woman in the shoulder. The injury wasn't life-threatening.

The teenager remained at the scene and spoke to officers who responded before he was taken into custody on the misdemeanor charge.

"Based on the reckless actions, the 17-year-old was charged with third-degree assault and placed in juvenile detention," Hart said.