TJ Maxx Client Shoots Herself in the Foot After Accidentally Dropping Gun

A woman accidentally shot herself in the foot after she dropped her gun inside an Alabama TJ Maxx store, according to police.

The accidental shooting happened at the store located at 2185 Tiger Town Parkway in Opelika, shortly before 2:10 p.m. on Monday.

In an Opelika Police Department statement shared on Facebook, a spokesperson said the woman was taken to a hospital and was treated for her injuries.

The statement said: "Upon arrival, first responders located a 55-year-old woman suffering from a gunshot wound to her foot. Officers learned that the woman accidentally dropped the firearm, which caused it to discharge, striking her in the foot.

"The woman was transported to the hospital for treatment. Opelika detectives have investigated the incident and the scene is now clear."

Newsweek has contacted the Opelika Police Department for comment.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, a database that collects information about shootings across the U.S., 45 people have been injured in Alabama following an accidental discharge of a firearm since January 1, 2021.

Of those injured, the Gun Violence Archive found that nine of the victims injured as a result of an accidental firearm discharge so far have been women.

Earlier this month, a toddler accidentally shot a man dead inside his Georgia home, according to police.

Savannah Police detectives said they reached the determination that the shooting of Dustin Walters, 25, was the result of an accidental shooting that involved a handgun that was fired by a toddler.

When officers responded to reports of a gunshot, they found Walters at a property on the 100 block of East 64th Street on December 5. While Walters was transported to the Memorial Medical Center, he later died as a result of his injuries.

Another tragic case of an accidental shooting happened earlier this month in Virginia, where a 3-year-old fatally shot himself with a gun that allegedly belonged to his grandfather.

Alleghany County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Matthew Bowser previously told Newsweek: "Unfortunately this is the second young child in our area that's passed away in the past two years. It's a sad situation. We urge everyone to keep their firearms locked up and away from children."

When deputies arrived at the scene, they performed life-saving measures before medevacking the child to a nearby trauma center, Bowser said.

They believe the child fired a pistol, according to WSLS, and police also found a revolver and multiple rounds of ammunition in the home.