N.M. gun store employee accidentally shoots customer in the back

SILVER CITY, N.M. Authorities say an employee at a New Mexico gun shop was unloading a handgun when he accidentally shot a customer in the back, wounding him.

The Silver City Sun-News reports the 65-year-old customer was airlifted from Silver City to an El Paso, Texas hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

Silver City Police Chief Ed Reynolds says an employee at Copper County Sporting Arms was unloading a .45 caliber handgun Tuesday when the weapon went off, shooting the man in the back.

Emergency responders closed off the street in front of the shop so a medical helicopter could land.

Reynolds says the incident is still under investigation.

A person who answered the phone Tuesday at Copper Country declined to talk to the Sun-News.