MARQUETTE -- The Marquette Police Department has arrested Nicholas Ireland in connection to a shooting incident that happened on Wednesday.
Ireland, a student at Northern Michigan University, was handling a .45 caliber handgun in the living room of a home when it accidentally discharged, according to police. The bullet hit 21-year-old Lauren Cockels, a NMU student on the swim team, in the right knee.
Ireland had taken the gun as a safety measure from another individual in the house, according to the Marquette police.
Police said that several men in the home aided Cockels as Ireland called 911. Authorities reported that the shooting has been determined as accidental in nature.
Ireland was arrested and is being charged with careless discharge of a firearm, causing injury, and possession under the influence. Both of these charges are considered a misdemeanor. He will be back in court on December 17.
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