Teen Shoots Himself 'Clean Through' His Hand In Gillette on Sunday

A 17-year-old boy shot himself in the hand while in a trailer house in Gillette on Sunday evening, leaving a hole clean through his hand, authorities say.  

A 38-year-old man dropped the teen off at the hospital after the incident, Gillette Police Department Sgt. Dean Welch said during a Monday conference with media outlets. The man was not the teen’s father, Welch added.  

The teen was with other juveniles on the 1600 block of Echeta Road in Gillette just before 7:53 p.m. Sunday and, believing a 9 mm handgun was not loaded, pulled the trigger and shot himself in the hand.  

Welch did not know Monday morning whether drugs or alcohol were involved. As of Sunday night the teen was still in the hospital.  

The hole went “clean through” the teen’s hand, said Welch.  

There was a video of the incident, Welch added, which he said was “convenient” for the investigation. Police determined there was no foul play.

Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.