By Associated Press - Monday, May 6, 2019

LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. (AP) - A man who Florida authorities originally said had accidentally shot himself in a supermarket checkout line was actually shot by his wife’s gun.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office told the Tampa Bay Times on Monday that deputies’ investigation shows that 69-year-old Vernon Messier was shot Sunday when his wife’s purse fell off a counter at a Land O’ Lake Publix, causing the two-shot derringer inside to fire.

The bullet struck Messier in the shin. Deputies said 67-year-old Lillian Messier has a concealed weapons permit. No charges are expected and deputies said Vernon Messier is recovering.



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Information from: Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Fla.), http://www.tampabay.com.

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