78-year-old woman recovering after accidentally shooting herself

A 78-year-old town of Burlington woman is recovering after accidentally shooting herself in the stomach.

The Racine County Communication Center took a 911 call Friday night from a woman who stated that her mother was shot in the stomach.

Deputies arrived to the scene and learned that the 78-year-old woman was scared and went to arm herself with her handgun.

The woman was walking in her house with the gun when she dropped it.

The gun hit the floor and fired striking the woman in her stomach.

She was taken to Burlington Memorial Hospital and then transferred to Froedtert Hospital for treatment of her injuries.

The Racine County Sheriff's office said that initial investigation shows that alcohol and drugs may have played a contributing factor in the chain of events.

The Sheriff's Office wanted to take this opportunity to remind people to be extra cautious with firearms and to remember gun safety when handling any firearms.