Police: Man Charged After Shooting Self in Leg

A 19-year-old Evanston man has been charged with Reckless Discharge of a Firearm after accidentally shooting himself in the leg. Police said he had initially told them he had been shot by a rival gang member.

Police said Deshawn Thomas reported being shot in the 1700 block of Lyons St. on Dec. 9 at around 10:05 p.m.

Thomas told police that he had been the possible target from a rival gang, and that he had been shot several times by an unknown person.

"Detectives on the scene examined the area and determined the victim was shot in the 1800 block of Lyons St. and after canvassing the neighborhood were able to determine that the alleged victim had suffered a self inflicted gun shot wound.  Police learned from the victim that he was carrying a .32 caliber handgun in his waistband and the weapon discharged," police said.

Thomas was treated at the Evanston Hospital and later charged. The Reckless Discharge of a Firearm charge is a class 4 felony which, if convicted, carries a possible penalty of one to three years in an Illinois Department of Corrections Penal Institution, according to police.