Charges: Mapleton man accidentally shoots self with child in car

(Redwood Falls, MN) – A Mapleton man faces criminal charges after police say he accidentally shot himself.

Dakotah James Schwichtenberg, 23, was charged in Redwood County Court with gross misdemeanor charges of recklessly handling a dangerous weapon.

According to the criminal complaint, Schwichtenberg had a gunshot wound to his abdomen when police responded to an East Flynn Street address in November 2018.

Schwictenberg was sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle and had been attempting to reholster his weapon when the firearm discharged, according to witness accounts.

A 23-year-old woman was in the front passenger seat, and her juvenile son was in a car seat directly behind the driver’s seat when the gun fired, according to the complaint.

Police say the gun was a Canik 9mm 9×19. Schwichtenberg has a valid permit to carry. He told police he regularly carries a firearm and “always has a round in the chamber.”

The defendant is due to appear in court on August 26th.

Image Credit: GunBroker.com

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