Coast Guard responds to gunshot victim off Clearwater, Fla.

CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Coast Guard responded to a report of an accidental shooting of a 49-year-old male aboard a 35-foot Everglades vessel approximately 27 miles west of Clearwater Pass, Friday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Fla., received a mayday call via VHF Channel 16 at 11:45 a.m., regarding a 49-year-old male who was accidentally shot in the back of the leg by a fellow passenger with a .22-caliber Ruger.

William Theodore was accidentally shot in the calf after he and another passenger were shooting plastic bottles as targets off the vessel.

At 11:49 a.m., Coast Guard Station Sand Key, Fla., launched a 25-foot Response Boat-Small crew to the scene.

The 25-foot boatcrew arrived on scene at 12:14 p.m., and transferred two Coast Guard members onto the 35-foot Everglades vessel to administer first aid to Theodore.

The 25-foot boatcrew escorted the 35-foot Everglades vessel to Clearwater Harbor Marina where the victim was transferred to Pinellas County Fire and Rescue emergency medical services personnel.