At 4:01 p.m., Thursday, June 18, the West Plains Police Department received a call from the Missouri Army National Guard Armory in reference to subject inside with a gunshot wound. Once Officers arrived on scene along with Deputies from the Howell County Sheriff’s Office, contact was made with the victim and officers immediately started rendering first aid.
During the course of the investigation, it was learned the male victim, identified as member of the Missouri National Guard, had been attempting to unload a personally owned handgun. In the process of unloading the handgun, the victim told officers the handgun discharged and a single bullet struck his leg. The victim was transported from the scene by helicopter.
Investigators processed the scene and concluded the investigation by ruling the shooting to be accidental. The name of the victim is not being released. No criminal charges are expected in this matter.
