A Rose Township man was accidentally shot by his friend recently while urinating outdoors, and that friend is now facing a felony charge and two misdemeanors.
Holly Police Chief Jerry Narsh issued a press release Monday stating Thomas James Wolford, 32, was intoxicated when his handgun discharged as he was reportedly moving it from his waistband to a backpack, while seated in his friend’s vehicle. Wolford and his friend had reportedly been on their way home from an evening out on Feb. 22 when the friend pulled over on a dirt road to relieve himself. As the friend returned to the vehicle, he reportedly heard a loud pop and felt pressure in his right side. He sustained a gunshot wound to his hip and buttocks area, the press release states, then drove a short distance to another friend’s house on East Maple Street to call police and get emergency medical help.
Officers dispatched to the house at around 7:45 p.m. found the 28-year-old man lying in the front yard with the bullet wound. Wolford was hiding behind a pickup truck in the driveway, intoxicated, the news release states. Wolford doesn’t have a concealed pistol license.
The injured man and Wolford both confirmed details of the incident, the news release states.
The bullet wound is serious but not believed to be life-threatening, the news release states.
The injured man was transported to a medical facility for treatment, and Wolford was arrested and taken to the Oakland County Jail. He was arraigned Feb. 24 on a felony charge of carrying a concealed weapon — with a maximum penalty of five years in prison — and two misdemeanors: careless discharge of a firearm causing injury or death, and possession of a firearm while under the influence.
Wolford was issued a personal bond of $10,000 meaning no cash or surety had to be posted for him to be released from jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 3.
Man accused of masturbation outside Troy fitness facility pleads to reduced charge
2 charged in fatal shooting of man after one spit in his apartment
2 Pontiac men indicted for fentanyl, meth crimes in Tennessee