Kingsport Police Department Press Release |
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Incident Information |
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| Type of Incident | Man Accidentally Shoots Himself While Purchasing Christmas Tree |
| Date & Time | November 29, 2013
Approximately 1:40 PM |
| Location of Incident | Christmas Tree Lot
Located in Parking Lot of Ingles 4317 Fort Henry Drive Kingsport, TN |
Suspect/Victim Information |
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| Name | Michael H. Bledsoe |
| Age | 59 Years of Age |
| Race/Sex | White/Male |
| Address | Kingsport, TN |
| Weapon(s) Used | 12 Gauge Shotgun |
| Injuries | Gunshot wound to pelvic area |
| Condition | Critical |
General Narrative |
| A Kingsport man accidentally shot himself in the pelvic area with a 12 gauge shotgun at a local Christmas tree lot.
On November 29, 2013 at approximately 1:40 PM, Officers from the Kingsport Police Department’s Patrol and Criminal Investigations Divisions responded to a Christmas tree lot in the parking lot of Ingles, located 4317 Fort Henry Drive in Kingsport, in reference to an accidental shooting. Michael H. Bledsoe had just purchased a Christmas tree and had returned to his vehicle to retrieve a Christmas tree stand. He had a loaded 12 gauge shotgun lying on the back seat of his vehicle. As he retrieved the stand, the shotgun apparently shifted causing something to come in contact with the trigger resulting in a negligent discharge. The shotgun blast struck Mr. Bledsoe in the pelvic area. He was transported to Holston Valley Medical Center by Sullivan County E.M.S. with life-threatening injuries. He is currently still in the Intensive Care Unit listed in critical condition. A vehicle parked next to Mr. Bledsoe’s vehicle sustained damage when it was also peppered with the blast. Fortunately nobody else was injured. The investigation is still ongoing by the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division. For additional information, please contact: P.I.O. Thomas M. Patton K.P.D. Community Relations & Crime Prevention Unit 423-229-9433 ThomasMPatton@KingsportTN.gov |
| Releasing Officer | P.I.O. Thomas M. Patton
K.P.D. Community Relations & Crime Prevention Unit |
