Metro Detroit Man Charged After Accidentally Shooting Co-Worker: Prosecutor

AUBURN HILLS, MI — A Madison Heights man is in trouble after accidentally shooting his co-worker outside a shopping mall last month, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office.

Ethan Carter Wright, 26, was charged with one count of careless discharge of a firearm causing injury, a misdemeanor.

If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison or a $2,000 fine.

The shooting happened outside Great Lakes Crossing Mall in Auburn Hills on July 28 when Wright offered to give his co-worker a ride home after work at the mall, prosecutors said.

As they were getting in the car, prosecutors said Wright tried to take his gun from the cupholder and put it in the backseat. In doing so, prosecutors said the gun fired and struck the woman in the hip.

Prosecutors said Wright is a CPL holder.

"The right to own firearms comes with basic responsibilities," said Prosecutor Karen McDonald in a statement. "As we see in this case, the careless handling of a handgun has serious consequences."