Boy accidentally fires gun after finding it in storm drain near Manatee Memorial Hospital

BRADENTON -- A boy accidentally fired a gun, after his father spotted it in a storm drain near Manatee Memorial Hospital on Friday morning, according to Bradenton police.

About 9:20 a.m., police responded to reports of gunfire at the hospital, 206 Second St. E., in downtown Bradenton.

Police spokesman Lt. James Racky said a motorist was stopped in traffic near the intersection of Manatee Avenue East and First Street, when he spotted a gun in the storm drain and asked his son to get out of the car to pick it up. Racky said he didn't know the boy's age.

As the man was pulling his car into the hospital parking lot to wait for his son, the gun accidentally fired and hit the storm drain, Racky said. The two drove home with the gun and stopped as soon as they saw a patrol vehicle to hand the gun over to police.

The story was consistent with initial reports from the hospital about a gunshot, and their vehicle matched the description of the one leaving the scene.

No one was injured and no damage was reported.

Officers were questioning the man at the police station, but police Capt. William Fowler said no charges were expected in the case.

This story was originally published December 9, 2015 at 11:53 AM with the headline "Boy accidentally fires gun after finding it in storm drain near Manatee Memorial Hospital ."