Teen hunting squirrels accidentally shoots foot

The Caribou County Sheriff’s Office reports a 14-year-old male accidentally discharged a firearm and the bullet struck his right foot at the Slug Creek area at a campground commonly referred to has Horse Shoe Bend near the Summit View Campground on Monday.

The sheriff’s office says the teen was hunting squirrels with his 12-year-old cousin.

Officials say the teen had shot a few times and was getting ready to walk again when he decided to return the pistol to a safe condition with the hammer de-cocked. While attempting to lower the hammer on the .22 caliber revolver with his thumb and while the pistol was pointed downward, the hammer slipped from his thumb and fired the round through his right foot.

A private vehicle transported the teen to the Caribou Memorial Hospital for treatment.

According to the sheriff’s office, although serious, the injury is non-life threatening, and the teen is doing well.

The sheriff’s office reports the teen had training in hunter education, gun safety and is an experienced shooter.