Man accidentally shot in head by police officer improving

The condition of the young man who was accidentally shot in the head by his roommate earlier this month is good, according to University of Mississippi Medical Center officials.

Michael Hunter Flynt was transported to UMMC after his roommate, 28-year-old off-duty Madison police officer Zachary Jacob Creel, accidentally shot Flynt while showing him a new gun at their home in Brandon.

When Rankin County sheriff's deputies arrived at their Brandon home, Flynt was alert and Creel was holding a towel to the wound, according to the incident report. Creel told Rankin County deputies the weapon discharged while he was pulling it from the holster to show Flynt, striking him on the right side of his head.

According to the Facebook page "Pray for Hunter Flynt," Flynt was moved to a private room on Jan. 15 after allowing time for his brain to heal from the impact of the bullet. He battled chemical meningitis but is on the mend and has been joking with hospital staff.

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey said no charges against Creel are expected to come from the incident, though a grand jury will review the case.

Creel is currently on administrative leave with pay.

To contact Kate Royals, call (601) 360-4619 or email kroyals@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @KRRoyals on Twitter.