A 29-year-old homeless man was wounded after accidentally firing a police officer’s gun while fleeing along Magsaysay Avenue in Baguio City, authorities said.

Police Major Marcy Grace Marron, spokesperson of the Baguio City Police Office, said the incident began when the officer on foot patrol encountered the man.

“Habang naglalakad itong pulis natin, biglang nakasalubong niya itong palaboy. May dala itong kutsilyo nang hinablot niya ang baril ng pulis,” Marron said.

Video footage later showed the man reaching Lower Magsaysay where he fired the gun downward. The bullet grazed hit his left hip, police said.

He was immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment.

Authorities later identified the suspect as a 29-year-old resident of Santiago City, Isabela. Marron said the man was able to give his name, age, and hometown but could not provide his exact address or the names of any relatives.

“Nasasabi nga niya yung kaniyang pangalan, edad, at kung taga-saan siya, ‘yun nga lang ‘yung kaniyang exact address at pangalan ng kaniyang kaanak ay hindi niya masabi,” she said.

The suspect will face charges for direct assault and illegal discharge of a firearm.

Following the incident, the City Social Welfare and Development Office increased monitoring of homeless individuals in the city to prevent similar cases, police added.