Bluffton man accidentally shoots self in foot

A Bluffton man who grabbed a pistol when he thought he heard a would-be intruder outside his home accidentally shot himself in the foot Saturday, said the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

The 25-year-old was treated and released Saturday at Hilton Head Hospital.

The man told police he saw people he didn’t know near his residence on Joe Hamilton Lane and went to his mother's bedroom to get her handgun. When he placed the gun on a table and stood up, he bumped the table which caused the gun to fall to the floor and fire.

His mother told police her son did not have permission to enter her bedroom or take the gun.

Bluffton Police Maj. Joseph Manning said the victim is recovering and could face charges if a criminal history is uncovered.

Follow Caitlin Turner on Twitter at twitter.com/Cait_E_Turner.