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SPARTA, Ill. – A Mount Vernon man accidentally shot himself during a shooting event at a recreation center in Sparta.

The incident occurred on Sunday, August 28 around 11:20 a.m. at the World Shooting and Recreation Complex.

According to a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the 49-year-old victim was participating in a registered shoot at the pistol berm.

Jayette Bolinski, an official with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, said “He was going through the prescribed course of fire and was transitioning from his strong side to his weak side with his rifle. While transitioning, the rifle discharged twice, striking him in the lower leg and ankle area.”

Participants nearby applied bandages to the victim’s leg and called 911. The man was taken to the hospital and was later flown to SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital.

The victim’s condition is unclear.