Marijuana smoker shoots self in leg

By Roger Lanse

Grant County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched the Gila Regional Medical Center on Saturday, Aug. 26, at about 3:50 p.m., in regard to an adult male in the ER with a gunshot wound to his leg.

According to offense reports, deputies identified the male as 19-year-old Issaih Villalba of Santa Clara.

Villalba told deputies, the reports said, that he and another male were driving around, smoking weed, and because he “doesn’t know guns very good” and “didn’t think the gun was loaded,” accidently shot himself with the .25 cal. Semi-auto pistol. The other male then brought Villalba to GRMC’s ER.

Deputies observed the wound, which, according to the reports, entered the outer part of the left leg just under the knee and exited about six inches above the ankle on the outer part of the leg.

The reports stated that because Villalba admitted he had been smoking marijuana just prior to the incident, he was charged with negligent use of a deadly weapon

As Villalba had an outstanding warrant out of Judge Grijalva’s Magistrate Court in the amount of $200 cash/surety for failure to appear, Grijalva was notified by deputies. Grijalva ordered the release of Villalba on his own recognizance with the condition that Villalba go in on Tuesday or Wednesday, Aug. 29 or 30, to appear before the judge. As of Thursday afternoon, Aug. 31, according to Mag Court Grant Division II staff, Villalba has yet to make an appearance.