C.P. man wounded; shooting called accident

CROWN POINT | A 22-year-old Crown Point man was wounded Friday in what police said appears to be an accidental shooting.

Justin Edwards was in serious but stable condition Monday at Franciscan St. Anthony Health hospital in Crown Point with a gunshot wound to the abdomen, police said.

"At this point in our investigation it does appear as if the shooting was in fact accidental," Police Chief Pete Land said.

Edwards and a friend, a 44-year-old Schererville man, were getting into the friend's car to pick up a pizza when a loaded handgun in the car discharged, police said.

The .40-caliber semi-automatic gun was under a jacket on the passenger seat, police said. The Schererville man grabbed the coat to move it and was unaware he also picked up the loaded gun, police said.

The bullet struck Edwards as he entered the car, police said.

The Schererville man had a valid Indiana handgun permit, police said. Police did not release the man's name.

Police had been called to the scene, in the 500 block of Ridgelawn Street, just before 10 p.m. on Friday. Edwards was found lying on the grass next to the parked car.

Edwards was treated at the scene by emergency personnel and then taken to the Franciscan St. Anthony, where he underwent emergency surgery, police said.

The gun was found still inside the vehicle.

Police are continuing to investigate, and the case remains ongoing, Land said.