St. Paul police: Man accidentally shoots himself in leg while playing basketball at elementary school open house

A man shot himself in the leg when his gun went off during an open house at a St. Paul elementary school late Thursday afternoon, police said.

Officers were called about the accidental shooting at Como Elementary School on Wheelock Parkway about 5:45 p.m. St. Paul Fire Department medics took the 30-year-old man to Regions Hospital for treatment. His injury was not life threatening, said Sgt. Mike Ernster, a police spokesman.

The man, who has a permit to carry a firearm, was playing basketball at the school’s parent night/open house “while carrying the handgun on his body,” Ernster said. The gun was not holstered and it went off, striking him in the lower leg. No one else was injured.

Police are investigating how the gun discharged. When they finish their investigation, they’ll send it to Ramsey County prosecutors for a charging decision, Ernster said.

“We want to remind everyone that firearms are not allowed on any St. Paul Public Schools property,” said Erica Wacker, school district spokesperson, in a statement. “This includes in vehicles, in the parking lot and in the building.”

The school district crisis team, in addition to the school counselor and social worker, will be at the elementary school Friday for students and staff who want to talk about what happened.

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