Guy accidentally fires classic gun in his pocket, shooting another man, cops say

Police say a 58-year-old man was arrested after his 9 mm handgun accidentally discharged in his pocket during a trade show, injuring another person.

William Wetzler of Hasbrouck Heights was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun and negligently discharging a firearm in a public location. Parsippany police said in a statement Monday that officers and an ambulance crew were called to a coin show at the Parsippany-Troy Hills PAL for a report of a possible accidental discharge of a firearm.

When officers arrived, they were met by Wetzler who was allegedly in possession of a silver Walther PPK 9mm handgun, which police said accidentally discharged while in his pocket.

"The discharged round ricocheted on the ground and struck the victim, a 67-year-old male from Toms River, who was also a vendor at the show.

Police say both Wetzler and the other vendor suffered non-lie-threatening injuries as a result of the gunshot, but neither required medical attention.

Wetzler was processed at police headquarters and later released pending a future court date, authorities said.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.