Man, 21, accidently shoots himself in face in front of friends in Hobe Sound

HOBE SOUND, Fla. — A 21-year-old man put a 9mm handgun up to his cheek and pulled the trigger in front of friends — apparently forgetting there was a round in the chamber.

The gunshot broke Joshua Krakat's jaw in two places and created a facial wound. He was flown by helicopter to St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach following the accidental shooting at 9:45 p.m. Wednesday at a home on Sandy Lane.

The injuries are not considered life threatening. In addition to the wounds, he "apparently will have a lot of trouble hearing of that ear," next to where the gun was placed, because of the loudness of the gunfire, said Sheriff's Capt. Mike McKinley.

There was no indication this was a suicide attempt, according to McKinley,

Krakat, of the 8300 block of Skylark Avenue, Hobe Sound, was with a group of friends when he pulled out the handgun, removed the bullet magazine and pulled the trigger.

Investigators are checking on the gun's registration.

This story will be updated as more information is released.

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