NATCHEZ — A Natchez man was hospitalized early Monday morning after accidentally shooting himself in the foot during what he suspected was an attempted home invasion.

According to reports at the Natchez Police department, the victim was sleeping in his home on Sgt. Henry L. Brown Drive when he was awakened by a loud noise, which he thought was the sound of an unknown person twisting the kitchen doorknob and shaking the door.

The victim got out of bed, retrieved a .357 Magnum and cocked the sidearm before approaching the kitchen.

The report states that as the victim approached the kitchen he could still hear the noise and, being nervous, accidentally discharged his weapon, shooting himself in the right foot near his pinkie toe.

The victim immediately drove himself to the hospital and contacted the police.