The National Park Service (NPS) is investigating the reportedly accidental self-inflicted shooting on Saturday of a visitor to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

At around 4:30 p.m. the visitor was hiking in the woods with a friend near Salt Creek, on NPS property by the Ameriplex in Portage, when “he decided to clean his pistol” and the handgun accidentally discharged, NPS spokesman Bruce Rowe told the Chesterton Tribune today.

The man was hit in the leg. Surgery was later performed at Porter Regional Hospital to remove the bullet from behind his knee,” Rowe said.

Rowe was unable to say what kind of handgun was involved or why the man decided to clean it in the woods. No charges have been filed or at this time are pending, Rowe said. Chief Ranger Mike Bremer is investigating the incident.

Rowe did note that it is not illegal to be in possession of a handgun on NPS property. It is illegal to possess a handgun inside NPS facilities and it is illegal to fire a handgun on NPS property.

Posted 11/6/2012