OMAHA, Neb. -- A gun in a high school student's pocket accidentally discharged during class Thursday, injuring the teen, police said. The 10th-grader at Northwest High School was not threatening anyone with the gun when it fired, police said. The 17-year-old's injuries, which were not life threatening, were in the thigh and finger.That's really too bad.
The boy went to a hospital, hiding the gun somewhere between the school and the hospital, officials said. Police found the weapon Thursday afternoon. Police didn't know whether the student drove himself to the hospital or got a ride, Officer Chuck Casey said.
"Where y'headed, kid?"
"To the hospital."
"Oh. Shot yerself, huh?"
"Yeah. I hate it when I do that."
"Ummm... Yer gettin' blood on the naugahyde."
The teen has not been arrested but may face weapons charges, police said. The school was locked down after the morning shooting, and students were allowed to leave after police found the gun. Investigators were trying to determine whether the boy is connected to gangs.
"You in a gang, kid?"
"No. I'm just really stoopid."
"There's gang issues all across the city," said Omaha Public School District spokeswoman Luanne Nelson said. "This is a question about guns in the community, not guns in the schools."