Police: Man accidentally shoots woman, self while drunk

STEELE, Mo. -- A 19-year-old Steele man is facing charges of unlawful use of a weapon after shooting a woman in the back while he was intoxicated, the Daily Dunklin Democrat reported.

According to the Steele Police Department, at approximately 2:12 a.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to North First Street in reference to shots being fired.

Upon arrival, officers located Laura Mayberry, 39, of Steele, who was shot in the back, and called for emergency medical services. Pemiscot County Sheriff's deputies and investigator Sgt. Michael George were dispatched to the scene to assist with the investigation.

During the course of the investigation, George located a second subject, a 19-year-old Steele man that had fled the scene before police arrived.

According to authorities, it was later revealed that the man had accidentally shot himself in the leg while riding in the back seat of the victim's car.

"The male was intoxicated and began clearing the chamber of a .25 caliber handgun," Steele Police Chief Billy Joe Stanfield said in a written report. "The male stated that the gun went off and shot him in the leg. The bullet traveled through his leg and into the victim's back. When police were contacted, the male threw the gun by North First Street and fled the scene."

Stanfield said the gun was recovered and placed into evidence.

Mayberry was flown to a hospital in Memphis, Tenn., for treatment. The male subject was treated at the Pemiscot County Hospital for minor injuries. After begin treated, he was arrested and transported to the Pemiscot County Justice Center, pending the filing of formal charges for unlawful use of a weapon.