Brandon man shoots self in leg on USM campus

HATTIESBURG, MS (Mississippi News Now) - A University of Southern Mississippi student from Brandon is in critical but stable condition after shooting himself in the leg while sitting in his vehicle on campus.

Blake Ballard, 22, was found lying on the pavement outside his Jeep Thursday afternoon on a service road adjacent to the Ogletree House.

The junior was rushed to Forrest General Hospital for treatment. Because of his condition, police haven't been able to interview Ballard to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting. However, police say it appears to have been accidental.

University officials say Ballard was not in violation of state law by having a gun in his vehicle on campus because he was over the age of 21 and had obtained an enhancement to a concealed firearms permit.

However, Ballard could still face university discipline for having a gun on campus.

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