Crown Point man wounded in accidental shooting
By Carrie Napoleon Post-Tribune correspondent February 6, 2012 3:28PM
Updated: March 8, 2012 8:12AM
CROWN POINT — A 22-year-old Crown Point man is in serious but stable condition after he was accidentally shot in the stomach Friday night by a friend.
The incident occurred just before 10 p.m. Friday outside a home in the 500 block of Ridgelawn Street, according to Crown Point Police Chief Pete Land. At the time, the victim, Justin Edwards, and his friend, a 44-year-old Schererville resident, were leaving the house to pick up a pizza.
When the friend entered his parked vehicle, he attempted to move a jacket that was lying on the passenger seat. He was unaware he also picked up a loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson semiautomatic handgun that also was on the seat.
The gun accidentally discharged and struck Edwards in the abdomen. It was not holstered at the time of the shooting. The Schererville man did have an Indiana gun permit.
“At this point in our investigation, it does appear as if the shooting was in fact accidental. However, our detectives will continue with their investigation and the case remains ongoing,” Land said.
Upon their arrival police located the handgun still inside the vehicle. The gun was taken into evidence as part of the investigation.
Land said the victim is in serious but stable condition at Franciscan St. Anthony Health where he underwent emergency surgery following the shooting.
Police are not releasing the name of the other involved man while the investigation continues.
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