Man Accidentally Shoots Himself, Wife During Gun Discussion At Church

Police in Tennessee say a man accidentally shot himself and his wife while showing off his gun in church. 

Tellico Plains Police Chief Russ Parks told The Knoxville News Sentinel that members of the First United Methodist Church were talking about guns in churches. 

Parks said the man pulled out .380-caliber Ruger handgun, removed the magazine, cleared the chamber, and showed the gun. He put the magazine back in and returned the gun to its holster. 

When someone asked if they could see the gun, he pulled it out saying the gun was not loaded and pulled the trigger. 

Parks said the bullet sliced the man's palm, then entered the left side of his wife's abdomen and exited the right side. 

CBS News affiliate WVLT-TV reports the church was holding a pre-thanksgiving dinner when the shooting took place. Initial reports indicated two people had been shot outside the church, and that an active shooter situation may be in place. Schools were subsequently placed on a temporary lockdown until authorities cleared the scene. 

The couple, in their 80s, were flown to a hospital with injuries that didn't appear to be life-threatening.

According to WVLT-TV, hospital officials say the couple remains listed in stable condition.