Accidental Shooting at Pilot Knob

(Pilot Knob, MO) An 18 year old male is recovering from a gunshot wound to his face after an incident while cleaning a gun at a residence in Pilot Knob Monday. According to information from the Iron County Sheriff's Office Facebook page deputies responded to the Iron County Medical Center at Pilot Knob, Monday evening about 8:30, in regards to the victim and the nature of his wound. When they arrived the victim was conscious, alert, and breathing. After an investigation deputies determined the 18 year old was cleaning firearms after a day at the shooting range. While handling a 9mm handgun it discharged and the bullet hit the victim in the face. The shooting has been determined to be self inflicted and accidental. The 18 year old was taken to a St. Louis Hospital where he was reported to be in stable condition.