Shooting Victim Believed to Have Accidentally Been Shot With Gun in His Pants

ST. CLOUD - St. Cloud Police believe a shooting victim in North St. Cloud on Tuesday was accidentally shot with a gun that was in his pants pocket.

The incident happened at about 5:15 p.m. in the 1300 block of 12th Avenue North.

Dimitri Accardo, the 21-year-old victim in the incident, originally told police he was shot during a drive by shooting. After gathering evidence, investigators believe Accardo was accidentally shot in his left leg after a gun in his pants pocket went off.

Evidence includes a bullet trajectory going through the upper thigh and damage to his inner pants pocket. Accardo was re-interviewed by police with the evidence and is still saying that he was shot during a drive by.

Accardo has been previously arrested and was charged with a felony level terroristic threat back in 2012. His criminal history shows that he pled guilty to that offense and was convicted of a gross misdemeanor.

By state law, this guilty plea means Accardo couldn't have a gun in his possession. Investigators plan to send the case to the Stearns County Attorney Office to have him charged with illegally possessing a firearm.