A Charleston man is charged with a misdemeanor after his gun discharged during a children's swim lesson session at the University of Charleston Friday evening.
Lloyd Simms, 41, turned himself in to the Charleston Police Department Saturday morning, said Chief of Detectives Steve Cooper.
Jackie Kay, of Charleston, whose 17-year-old daughter was giving the lesson, said the incident happened at the Gorman PE Building on the UC campus during a swim lesson. Kay's daughter was in the pool with several children while parents were around the pool watching.
"This man was sitting not two feet away and his gun went off," Kay said. "She said he had a huge hole in his pocket.
"Everyone was upset. It could have been a terrible tragedy for many people."
Weapons are not allowed on UC's campus.
Randy Ross, UC's director of public safety, said the man, whose name has not been released, was carrying a Springfield Arms XDM .40-caliber handgun in his back pants pocket. The man has a concealed carry permit.