An initial investigation by the Dawson County Sheriff's Office indicates a Monday afternoon shooting in a restaurant parking lot was an accident.
Authorities and emergency crews responded to the LongHorn Steakhouse parking lot off of Ga. 400 around 3:50 p.m. The victim, Michael Gilbert, 21, Dawsonville, told deputies he was trying to unload his older model Walther .32 caliber handgun when he accidentally fired it several times.
"Two of the expended rounds struck the victim in his left thigh area. Other rounds lodged in the vehicle’s door," Dawson County Sheriff-Elect Jeff Johnson said in an email.
Gilbert, and his mother, Diana Cleghorn, were parked in the lot when the incident occurred, according to Johnson.
"Initial inquiries by Dawson County Investigators indicate that the weapon discharge was consistent with the evidence and victim/witness statements," Johnson said. "Although no current charges are filed at this time, the case is still under investigation. Our investigators are committed to determining the exact events that led to the injury."
On Monday, Dawson County EMS Director Lanier Swafford said the victim was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
