A Newark man who shot himself in the leg was arrested on drug and weapon possession charges after an investigation revealed he made up a story to police about being attacked by a gunman.
Darron Shivers, 49, shot himself in the leg as he was driving on State Highway 21 on Friday night, authorities said. He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at University Hospital, where he was also questioned by police.
Shivers initially told police that a gunman had attacked him and that he was shot in his leg during a struggle.
But New Jersey detectives investigated how Shivers sustained the gunshot wound and determined that he had shot himself after exiting the Interchange 14 toll plaza, police said.
As part of the investigation, troopers conducted a search of Shivers’ Newark home and seized five guns, multiple boxes of ammunition as well as 5.5 pounds of marijuana and small amounts of heroin and cocaine.
Shivers faces a slew of weapon and drug related charges including maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility, possession of a sawed-off shotgun and possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school zone.
Shivers was unable to post his $500,000 bail and was jailed at Essex County Jail.
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The case will be prosecuted by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
