Police investigate after Pownal man shoots himself in hand

POWNAL, Vt. (WCAX) - A Pownal man faces charges after he shot himself in the hand and then lied about it to the police.

Vermont State Police say they were notified about a shooting on Sunday after John Wallner, 34, of Pownal, was treated at an Amsterdam, New York, hospital for a gunshot wound to his hand.

Wallner initially claimed he was shot in New York, but then said he was shot in Pownal, near Barber Pond. He also claimed he didn’t realize he was wounded, thinking it was possibly a bee sting. Police say Wallner lied several times about the incident before finally admitting he shot himself while cleaning his gun.

At this time, it’s believed the shooting did not occur in Vermont, but police continue to investigate. Wallner faces charges of giving false information to law enforcement.

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