Newton man charged after shooting himself in foot

A Newton Man has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm after he told police he shot himself in the foot with a handgun.

Newton Police were called to Skiff Medical Center on the evening of July 5 regarding a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Ian D. McCandless, 23, of Newton, told police he was handling a .380 handgun and accidentally shot himself in the foot. His injuries were non-life threatening.

McCandless was arrested Wednesday on a warrant for this charge. He was released from Jasper County Jail after posting a $5,000 bond.

Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess said because McCandless was under medical treatment for some time, he was not arrested immediately. A warrant was issued for him and he was picked up on that charge recently. The case involved an accidental discharge, and there was no immediate public safety risk, so McCandless was not charged with discharging a weapon, given that it was accidental and there was no intent to fire the weapon.

McCandless is charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, which is a Class D felony. He had a felony conviction from June 2014.