78-year-old Burlington woman accidentally shoots herself in the stomach

BURLINGTON -- A 78-year-old woman accidentally shot herself in the stomach with a handgun in the Town of Burlington on Friday evening, October 9th.

The Racine County Sheriff's Office says the elderly woman was scared and went to arm herself with a handgun. As she was walking in her house with the gun, she dropped it and it fired upwards, striking her in the abdomen.

The woman was transported to Burlington Memorial Hospital and then to Froedtert Hospital for her injuries.

Officials say initial investigation shows that alcohol and drugs may have played a factor in this incident.

The Racine County Sheriff's Office would like to take this opportunity to remind people to be extra cautious with firearms and to remember gun safety when handling any firearms.

FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com will continue to monitor this incident and will update when more information is available.