Riley Cottrell was shot in the leg shortly after 6 p.m. when his handgun discharged as he was trying to clean it, said Deputy Jay Pearson of the Darke County Sheriff’s Office.
The shooting happened at his home in the 4700 block of Gettysburg Pitsburg Road near Arcanum.
Cottrell’s mother, who is a licensed practical nurse, was home and was able to help treat her son while they waited for Arcanum Rescue to arrive, Pearson said.
Cottrell was taken by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition Sunday night.
Cottrell was lawfully able to own the firearm. The incident remains under investigation, but is considered an accidental shooting, Pearson said.
FIRST REPORT
A medical helicopter is called for a gunshot victim this afternoon.
The shooting was reported at 6:10 p.m. in the 4700 block of Gettysburg Pitsburg Road near Hogpath Road in Franklin Twp., southeast of Greenville.
According to initial reports, a 40-caliber handgun was accidentally fired, sending a bullet completely through the victim’s thigh.
CareFlight will land in a nearby soybean field, the Darke County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.