When a man accidentally shot himself while playing basketball at a St. Paul elementary school open house, there were 40 to 50 people in the gym and most were children, according to charges filed Thursday.

Lamont Jaytaris Gray Jr. was treated at the hospital for a non-life-threatening gunshot injury to his leg. No one else was injured.

Gray, 30, had a permit to carry a gun. He told police he had a holster for the pistol, but it was at home because water had spilled on it. He had the gun on his right hip, under his waistband.

Como Park Elementary on Wheelock Parkway hosted a parent night and open house Jan. 18. Gray was playing basketball in the gym with his teenage daughter, but had trouble keeping his pants up and at one point he pulled his waistband tight, according to the criminal complaint. That’s when his gun went off.

Gray limped out of the gym and someone called 911. Police found him outside and he said he’d accidentally shot himself.

The St. Paul City Attorney’s Office charged Gray with recklessly handling or using a gun, a gross misdemeanor, and carrying a firearm by a permit holder on school property, a misdemeanor.

Firearms are not allowed on St. Paul Public Schools property.

Gray, who previously was released from jail, could not be reached for comment Thursday and an attorney for him wasn’t listed in the court file.

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