Bergen Man Critical After 'Accidentally' Shooting Self: Police

HACKENSACK, NJ – A 57-year-old Hackensack man shot himself after his legally owned handgun accidentally discharged and a bullet struck him in the abdomen early Wednesday morning, police said.

Hackensack Police Capt. Darrin DeWitt said the man remains in critical condition at a local hospital after sustaining injures to his internal organs following the incident.

Around 12:20 a.m., the man was placing his Smith and Wesson .45 caliber handgun on his nightstand while preparing for bed when the gun went off, DeWitt said.

After his wife called 911, police, firefighters, the ambulance corps and paramedics responded to the Hudson Street home, the captain said.

An investigation is ongoing but detectives do not suspect foul play at this time, DeWitt said.