A Sterling man has been charged with burglary after accidentally shooting himself with a stolen revolver, according to an affidavit filed by State Troopers at the Kenai Courthouse on March 12.
According to the affidavit, on Jan. 29 troopers received a complaint of a burglary in Soldotna. A man reported that he had come home that night to discover his house at been broken into and several firearms were missing. When troopers responded, the man told troopers that he believed Travis Lindley, 18, was involved in the burglary. According to the affidavit, the man had allegedly arranged to meet with Lindley in Soldotna at the time of the burglary and Lindley never arrived to meet him, leading the man to believe Lindley had set him up.
On Feb. 4, Lindley was transported to Central Peninsula Hospital for a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the leg, according to the affidavit. Lindley had allegedly told a witness that the gun he had injured himself with was stolen, which led to troopers obtaining a search warrant for Lindley’s residence. While investigating, troopers found a revolver that was determined to be the source of Lindley’s injury, and which was also reported stolen on Jan. 29, according to the affidavit.
Troopers questioned Lindley at the hospital. Lindley allegedly denied stealing the revolver and stated that he bought the gun for $20 from the person who did steal it, but later recanted this statement.
Lindley faces one count of first-degree burglary, a class B felony, one count of second-degree theft, a class C felony, and one count of fourth-degree criminal mischief, a class A misdemeanor.
