An accidental shooting involving a juvenile is being investigated by the Poplar Bluff Police Department.
A teen was treated at 6:38 p.m. Saturday at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for an accidental gunshot wound to his finger, police report. The injury occurred near the intersection of West Harper and Garfield streets.
The juvenile said he picked up a handgun he found on the side of the road and accidentally shot himself in the finger.
Capt. David Sutton said the PBPD does not suspect criminal activity concerning the incident.
“There’s no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. It’s still under investigation but it is being investigated as an accident, not a crime,” he reported.
Sutton noted people are more likely to find firearms along roadsides this time of year; hunting season is picking up and firearms sometimes fall from truck beds or car trunks. The proper procedure for a found firearm is to call 9-1-1 and let the police or sheriff’s department handle it.
Never touch a discarded gun, he warned.
“Guns that are discarded should be considered loaded. We would like people to call us so that we can come and render them safe and figure out who they belong to,” Sutton said.
The investigation is ongoing, but the weapon from the incident has not been recovered, police said.