RIVERTON, Utah (ABC 4 News) – A 34-year-old man from Utah County was accidentally shot by a friend who was trying to clean a .40 caliber pistol.
Justin Hoyle with the Unified Police Department said the accident happened around 2:00 p.m. Saturday in the garage of a home near 1400 West and 11900 South. The victim was visiting a friend in Riverton.
“The gentleman was just cleaning his handgun,” Hoyle said. “He was getting prepared to clean it when he was trying to take a round out of the chamber and shot his friend,” Hoyle said.
Neighbors didn’t hear the gunshot, but went outside when they saw police.
“I was hoping it wasn’t anything drastic,” Barbara Hacking said. “I certainly wish whoever was injured the very best.”
The 34-year-old was taken to Intermountain Medical Center. Police said he had non-life threatening injuries and is expected to be okay.
“This a very unfortunate accident that happened, but also a good reminder for people whenever they’re taking a round out of a gun they are pointing it in a safe direction and not in the direction of other people,” Hoyle added.
