A Chicago man was injured when a gun he was handling went off inside his car in Niles, police said.
The 32-year-old man “accidentally discharged his weapon” while he was sitting in a car, which was parked outside the Costco gas station at 7220 N. Melvina Ave. on the afternoon of Oct. 24, said Sgt. Kelly Eckardt of the Niles Police Department.
Eckardt would say only that the bullet struck the man “in an extremity,” and the projectile did not exit the car.
The man, who was the only occupant in the car, attempted to drive to a hospital, but stopped at the Shell gas station, located several blocks east at Touhy and Lehigh Avenues, where he called 911, Eckardt said.
The man reported that he was adjusting his holster when the gun went off, she said. He was found to have a valid Firearm Owners Identification card and a concealed carry permit for the gun, which was a semi-automatic pistol, Eckardt said.
The man was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital for treatment of what was described by police as a non-life-threatening injury. No tickets were issued or charges filed, Eckardt said.
Niles police are also continuing their investigation into another shooting that occurred in the village on Oct. 19 and injured a 38-year-old Niles man.
The man, who was seated inside a car, was found with a gunshot wound to his head when officers responded to an alley behind the 8000 block of Lyons Street shortly before 4:30 a.m., police said.
Police described the incident as “isolated” and said the man’s wound was “non-life-threatening.”
Eckardt said police are unable to provide any updates on the case, as it remains under investigation.
