DeKalb County, Ala., man who shot himself arrested, authorities say

A DeKalb County man was arrested Thursday in connection with an incident last month involving a loaded gun in a Kilpatrick, Ala., residence, authorities said.

On May 27, Jose Santiago Amaya, 29, was found on the floor of a mobile home on the same road that he lived on, County Road 926, with a gunshot wound to the chest, DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris said. He said Amaya was airlifted to Huntsville Hospital, where he made a full recovery.

An investigation by the sheriff’s office showed that Amaya had been fighting with his sister inside the residence, Harris said. Amaya’s sister, whose name was not released, grabbed his wrist in an attempt to keep the gun pointing away from her. He discharged the weapon, striking himself in the chest, Harris said.

After the case was presented to the district attorney’s office, a warrant was issued for Amaya on a felony charge of discharging a gun into an occupied dwelling.

Deputies have responded to shots being fired at the residence before, Harris said.

“Many young children reside in the immediate area along with innocent adults,” he said. “I feel that the Kilpatrick area is a little safer now due to this arrest being made.”