PLAINS TOWNSHIP -- Police have arrested a man who admits he shot a woman in the face in Luzerne County, claiming it was an accident. The victim even told police she believes she was shot in the face by accident.
The shooting seems to stem from a night of drinking and playing around with a gun.
Accident or not, the shooter was charged and arraigned Friday.
That shooter is 29-year-old Robert William France. He has been charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor. That includes aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and having a firearm without a permit to carry the gun.
Police say France and a group of friends were out drinking at a bar in Plains Township. After some time at the bar, the group drove to a nearby Turkey Hill to pump gas. The victim told police France was playing with the gun that he owned and next thing she knew she heard a gunshot and was bleeding from her face.
"It has a case on it so I don't even know how it happened," France told Newswatch 16.
"Can you believe that you are here right now?"
"No, I can't because I don't get into these types of problems at all."
Police say France did take the victim to the hospital, but afterwards tried to get rid of the gun.
The gun was registered to France, but he did not have a permit to carry. He is now in the Luzerne County Jail with bail set at $50,000.
"I just hope that she's alright and that everything just works out for the best for her and for me too," France said.
The hospital has not released the victim's condition.
France has a preliminary hearing set for October 20.