A traffic stop by deputies with the Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office led to an accidental shooting and a non-life threatening injury.

Deputies pulled over a 2007 Chevy vehicle on U.S. 68 for speeding near the Southland Christian Church and Brannon Road at 3:20 a.m. on Wednesday, Chief Deputy Allen Peel said. After the driver of the vehicle pulled over for the authorities, efforts to conceal a handgun resulted in the gun firing. 

“The officer told me he heard a pop as he walked toward the car before he got up to it,” Peel said. “They were trying to conceal the fact that they had a firearm, and it accidentally discharged.”

One occupant was shot in the arm and was taken to the University of Kentucky hospital by Emergency Medical Services to be treated. 

Peel said that there were five occupants in the vehicle, and neither drugs nor alcohol was found on the scene.

Peel said that the gun was checked, and determined to belong to the minor whose possession it was in. The owner was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a minor in the first degree.