A Silver City man is in critical condition with major head trauma after accidentally shooting himself in the head with his loaded pistol.

The Silver City police responded to a home in the 1200 block of 40th Street at 1:21 on Tuesday afternoon for a request for an officer.

When police arrived, a woman came running out of the home with blood on her hands and neck, saying her boyfriend was inside.

Police found the victim, 24-year-old Randy Iler, lying on the couch with an open wound to the left side of his head. There was a black pistol on the floor next to the couch. The officer began to put pressure on Iler’s open wound and waited for EMS.

Police interviewed Iler’s girlfriend, who told them that Iler was sitting on the couch holding the gun in his hand. She said he usually holds his firearm and pulls the trigger but usually the safety is on. She said Iler was getting ready to leave and go pick up a friend and take them to Walmart and he had the gun pointed toward the ceiling and pulled the trigger and the gun went off. She said when the gun went off, that’s when she noticed his wound.

EMS arrived on scene and advised that Iler would need to be airlifted to the El Paso Trauma Center.

Silver City Police Chief Ed Reynolds said the incident is still under investigation. Reynolds said Iler was in critical condition in an El Paso hospital.

A Go Fund Me started on Wednesday aiming to raise $5,000 to help with Iler’s medical care had raised $135 on the first day. To donate, visit: www.gofundme.com/donations-for-randy

Christine Steele may be reached at christine@scdailypress.com.