A Jefferson City man was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to weapon charges.
Forrest Hoppe, 32, pleaded guilty last week to exhibiting a weapon and use of a weapon while intoxicated. He previously pleaded not guilty to armed criminal action and second-degree domestic assault charges, court records show.
According to a Cole County Sheriff's Department probable cause statement, Hoppe is a suspect in a shooting in early September that left him injured. A victim told law enforcement he had been arguing with Hoppe while they were heading to their shared residence. Their argument covered the multiple guns Hoppe had in the house, according to the statement.
The victim alleged Hoppe attempted to draw a pistol but dropped it, and a struggle ensued as Hoppe attempted to reclaim it. The gun went off in the struggle, hitting Hoppe in the upper thigh.
Hoppe called 911 and allegedly admitted he had been drinking and shot himself, the statement said. Authorities said surveillance video of the incident corroborates his story.
A similar incident with the same parties occurred last year, authorities said, and that time the victim was able to wrestle the firearm away from Hoppe.