By Staff
Dowagiac Chief of Police Tom Atkinson reports the accidental shooting of a Dowagiac businessman on Tuesday.
Officers were called at 4:26 p.m. to the Borgess-Lee Memorial Immediate Care Center at 105 Main St. for a reported gunshot victim.
Upon arrival, officers found the medical staff caring for Jerry Laymon, 48, in the parking lot by the back door.
Laymon was able to say that a gun in his shop accidentally discharged.
His business, Dowagiac Glass, is next door to the medical clinic at 103 Main St.
Officers found a trail of blood leading from the clinic to the interior of the shop.
Investigation determined that Laymon had been pulling out some materials from a drawer in which he kept a handgun.
The material snagged on the trigger and the gun fired.
The bullet struck Laymon in the chest.
He walked to the clinic next door for help.
Laymon was transported to Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital by Dowagiac Ambulance Service.
He was stabilized there, then transferred by helicopter to Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, where he was listed in serious but stable condition in the intensive care unit.