Teen wounded in accidental shooting
By Lee Williams
Published in News on October 12, 2006 1:51 PM
A Mount Olive teen is recovering from serious injuries after he accidentally shot himself in the face Wednesday.
Wayne County Sheriff's deputies responded to the home of Stephen Lee Denning, 17, of Lee Denning Lane, about 9:45 p.m. Denning told deputies that he tripped after going outside to check on a noise he heard outside the home.
The .38-caliber handgun discharged and struck him in the face, officials said.
The bullet entered through his jawbone and lodged into the base of his skull, Wayne County Detective Sgt. Shawn Harris said. Denning was taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital for treatment. He is listed in stable condition, officials said.
The case is still under investigation.
"This incident illustrates the importance in practicing good gun safety," Detective Harris said.