Felon faces new charge after shooting himself in the foot in Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Lincoln Police say a Beatrice man shot himself in the foot — in more ways than one.

Brentyn Swearingen, 26, was released on bail Wednesday from the Lancaster County Jail, one day after turning himself in.

On Feb. 13, Swearingen and a woman were at the IHOP near 66th and O streets, according to court documents.

The woman had a handgun in her waistband, but it became uncomfortable while they were sitting in the booth.

So police said she passed it underneath the table to Swearingen, who put it in his waistband.

They left the restaurant and headed down O Street, where police said Swearingen accidentally shot himself in the foot while taking the gun out of his pants.

The pair then drove 75 miles to the south to a hospital in Hanover, Kansas, to have his foot checked.

Law enforcement responded and discovered that Swearingen was a convicted felon and on probation, so he was barred from possessing guns.

So the accidental shooting has resulted in a criminal charge: possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Swearingen is due back in Lancaster County Court on May 14.