HUDSON, N.H. - A Nashua man faces a felony reckless conduct charge after his gun discharged in a Wal-Mart bathroom, striking the ceiling and scaring an employee in the next stall.
Charles Masterson, 36, said he pointed his gun toward the ceiling because he had been taught that was the safest thing to do when it wasn't being used.
The precaution backfired when the gun discharged Tuesday night while Masterson was in the bathroom.
Police charged him for putting the teenage employee in danger. Masterson's 13-year-old son also was in the bathroom.
Masterson was jailed overnight, but released on personal recognizance Wednesday after his arraignment in Nashua District Court.
Masterson said he had been carrying the Glock 9mm pistol in his waistband.
The Wal-Mart employee, Adam Carew, 17, of Dracut, Mass., told police he was in the handicapped accessible stall when he heard the gunshot. Carew said he ran out and saw Masterson's son covering his ears.
Carew told police Masterson walked out of his stall, put the gun in his pants and just walked right out of the bathroom like nothing happened.
Wal-Mart employees called police.
