Police recovered a handgun that was reported stolen in 1997 after a man showed up at a hospital with a questionable story and a gunshot wound to the leg Wednesday night.
Officers were called to a hospital in the 700 block of Minor Avenue at 9:15 PM for a report of a man who had shown up with a gunshot wound to the leg. Officers spoke with the 34-year-old man who stated that he was in the Roosevelt neighborhood when he was approached by some people trying to sell him drugs. The man said he attempted to walk away when he was shot.
The victim was brought to the hospital by a friend who told officers that as they were sitting in the car while getting gas, the man had been playing with a gun and shot himself in the leg. The friend also showed officers the gun which was still in the vehicle used to transport the man to the hospital. Officers checked the gun and discovered it had been reported stolen in 1997.
Police placed the gun into evidence and will continue to investigate.