Florida man shot when wife drops purse in grocery store

Deputies said 67-year-old Lillian Messier has a concealed weapons permit.

LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. (AP) — A man who Florida authorities originally said accidentally shot himself in a supermarket checkout line was actually shot by his wife’s gun. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office told the Tampa Bay Times on Monday that deputies’ investigation shows that 69-year-old Vernon Messier was shot Sunday when his wife’s purse fell off a counter at a Land O’ Lake Publix, causing the two-shot derringer inside to fire. The bullet struck Messier in the shin. Deputies said 67-year-old Lillian Messier has a concealed weapons permit. No charges are expected and deputies said Vernon Messier is recovering.