A 24-year-old man is in critical condition after an accidental shooting Monday night in the parking lot of the Pal Express 1 gas station on South Greenwood Street.

According to a LaGrange Police Department press release, the victim was filming Alaeza Carr, 22, playing with a handgun when it went off and struck the victim in the face sometime around 1 a.m.

The victim was taken to WellStar West Georgia Medical Center but has been transported to a Columbus area hospital. He is listed in critical condition.

“The problem is they were using the gun as a toy and guns are not toys, they’re weapons,” said LPD Sgt. Robert Kirby. “I think back to something I was taught when I was young, when I was a teenager and my dad would take me hunting. Don’t ever point a gun at something unless you intend to shoot it. I think she was pointing the gun and thought it was unloaded, but it was obviously not unloaded.”

Carr was later arrested on Murphy Avenue and charged with tampering with evidence and other drug crimes. Kirby said Carr could be charged with reckless conduct and the charges could be upgraded further if the victim dies.

Kirby said Carr had drugs in her possession when she was arrested, which resulted in the drug charges. Kirby said the tampering with evidence charge is from removing evidence from the scene.

Carr is being held at the Troup County Jail. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the LaGrange Department at (706) 833-2603 or Troup County Crime Stoppers at (706) 812-1000. Tips can also be submitted through the LaGrange Police Department’s Facebook page.