Man with wound tells Middletown police he accidentally shot himself

The man was advised not to touch a handgun officers observed in his waistband.

After officers secured the weapon, the man told them people hiding behind a barn had shot at him.

“And he then retrieved the weapon from his back waistband and accidentally shot himself,” according to the police report.

While the man was treated at Atrium Medical Center, officers searched the area for evidence but found no bullets and casings indicating others had been shooting.

The man told officers that the men shooting at him had been wearing masks.

Detectives are continuing to investigate.