DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Dawson County investigators believe the shooting in the parking lot of LongHorn Steakhouse restaurant on Ga. 400 Monday afternoon was an accident.

In an email, Dawson County Sheriff-elect Major Jeff Johnson said, “The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call reporting an accidental gunshot wound. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers encountered the victim, 21-year-old Michael Gilbert of Dawsonville.”

Johnson said Gilbert and his mother, Diana Cleghorn, were parked in the LongHorn parking lot, when (according to the victim) he attempted to unload a weapon, an older model Walther .32 semi-automatic pistol, when he accidentally fired the weapon several times. Two of the expended rounds struck the victim in his left thigh area. Other rounds lodged in the vehicle’s door.

“Initial inquiries by Dawson County Investigators indicate that the weapon discharge was consistent with the evidence and victim/witness statements,” Johnson said. .”Although no current charges are filed at this time, the case is still under investigation.”

Gilbert was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.