BATH

Bath police say a 29-yearold Bath man was accidentally shot in the leg Wednesday evening.

Officers responded to 100 Union St. at 7:19 p.m. for a report of a gunshot injury. Police say the victim was found outside the residence with Anthony Alvarez, 22, of Bath. Police say the two are acquaintances.

“Neither the victim nor Alvarez were cooperative with the responding officers when they arrived,” Lt. Robert Savary stated in a press release. “Neither would explain how the victim was shot.”

The victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries and transported to Mid Coast Hospital by Bath Rescue.

Savary said because both men were uncooperative, police do not know what events led to the shooting.

When police arrived, they identified the victim, but did not immediately recover the weapon.

“So there was some concern,” Savary said, “but we weren’t necessarily concerned about a public safety threat in the area.”

By interviewing other witnesses, police said they determined that Alvarez had accidentally shot the victim’s leg while handling a handgun inside an apartment on Union Street.

Savary said the handgun involved was eventually recovered by police, as was another handgun — and both were owned by Alvarez.

According to Savary, Alvarez, “who became increasingly uncooperative at the scene,” was searched by officers who “found illegal prescription pills on Alvarez’ person” believed to be Mor- phine.

Alvarez was subsequently arrested and charged with unlawful possession of Schedule W drugs, a class C crime punishable by up to 5 years incarceration.

Alvarez was eventually released on $1,000 unsecured bail and is scheduled to appear in West Bath District Court on July 17.

Police are looking into the possibility of further charges, Savary said. If there were any laws prohibiting the men from possessing firearms, it would fall under federal law. The case has been referred to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Attorney’s Office for review.

Savary declined to release what type of handgun was involved.

This would be the second accidental shooting to take place in Bath in three years.

In November 2015, a 22- year-old Thomaston woman was killed after being unintentionally shot in the head by her fiancé during a private gun sale exchange at the Shaw’s Supermarket parking lot. Dylan Grubbs pleaded guilty to felony domestic violence reckless conduct with a weapon and was sentenced to five years in prison with all but two and a half years suspended,

On Thursday, Savary said that those who are inexperienced with guns must be cautious, taking care to point the weapon in a safe direction at all times and being aware as to whether the chamber is loaded.

“People (who are) inexperienced need to seek out training and take extra precautions when handling firearms,” Savary said.

dmoore@timesrecord.com