CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. – A North Carolina man with booby traps around his home was seriously injured Monday after accidentally triggering one of them, according to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office.
Edwin Smith, 68, had booby-trapped the back door or his home with a shotgun, according to investigators. Around 11:30 a.m., he opened the door to feed some squirrels, and that's when the shotgun went off and hit his arm, police said.
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JUST IN: a 68-year-old man is seriously injured after Cleveland Co deputies say he got shot by his own booby trap. Deputies say he booby-trapped a back door with a shotgun, but around 11:30 am, he opened the door to feed some squirrels. The shotgun went off and hit his arm. pic.twitter.com/DCDfNqdgmr
— Brandon Goldner (@BrandonWCNC) October 15, 2018
In a 911 call obtained by WCNC, Smith told dispatchers, "I blew my arm off." He explained that he had accidentally triggered a trip wire that was set up at his back door. "I'm going to die. Just tell everybody I love them, okay?" the man continued.
Listen to the 911 call here.
The first arriving deputy used a tactical tourniquet on Smith, according to police. He was taken to a nearby hospital, and officials said it is likely he will be flown to Charlotte for treatment.
Cleveland Co Sheriff’s Office says first arriving deputy used his tactical tourniquet on the man. He was taken to Atrium Health in Shelby. Likely will be flown to Charlotte. Also, this is what greets visitors to the man’s home. pic.twitter.com/d2kHcHaO1r
— Brandon Goldner (@BrandonWCNC) October 15, 2018