Memphis Man Shot in Face After Friend 'Accidentally' Fires Gun He Found in Couch Cushions, Police Say

A man in Tennessee was taken into custody after he reportedly found a gun inside a couch and “accidentally” discharged the weapon, shooting his friend in the face, according to authorities.

Around 3:30 p.m. on July 2, officers responded to a shooting at an apartment complex in Memphis, according to WMC-TV.

Once at the scene, police found a man inside an apartment with a gunshot wound to his face.

The victim was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition, authorities said.

Officers spoke with the accused shooter, 24-year-old Hollmer Zelaya, who said he found a pistol between the cushions of a couch in the living room and then accidentally shot his friend with it.

According to a witness, Zelaya found the gun in the couch and removed it, WMC-TV reported. He then began waving it around in several directions.

The pistol then discharged, hitting the victim in the face, according to the witness.

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Zelaya told police he hid the gun in a drainage ditch close to the apartment complex, and police were able to locate the weapon.

Zelaya was arrested and charged with tampering with evidence and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, officials said.