PEABODY — An 18-year-old Peabody man was arrested on gun charges after a preliminary investigation indicated he had accidentally shot himself in the leg while handling an illegal firearm, police said.
Kyle Joaquim Morais, of 42 Holten St., Apt. 1, was arrested and charged with two counts each of selling/transferring a large capacity firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a large capacity feeding device, and one count of trafficking in one to two firearms.
The investigation, which was prompted after Peabody Police responded to a reported shooting in the area of 10 Keys Drive shortly before 1 a.m. Tuesday, resulted in the seizure of two 9mm handguns from Morais’ apartment at 42 Holten St., Peabody Police said.
The firearms — seized following the execution of a search warrant at the apartment — are often referred to as “ghost guns,” because they are built from parts or kits and for their lack of serial numbers. The two seized handguns had extended magazines capable of carrying more than 30 rounds of ammunition, Peabody Police said.
While Morais told police that he had been shot in the leg near his residence upon their arrival, Peabody and State Police determined during their investigation that he had sustained an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound while handling a recently obtained firearm, police said.
Emergency first aid was provided to Morais by responding officers and emergency medical technicians. He was then transported to Lahey Hospital Burlington with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Assisting with the execution of the search warrant was NEMLEC Swat Team, NEMLEC K-9 Leico and his handler, and Peabody Police Department K9 Akiba and his handler, police said.
The investigation is ongoing by Peabody Police officers and detectives, and State Police detectives assigned to Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s office.
Peabody Police Chief Thomas Griffin credited the “outstanding work” of all of the law enforcement agencies and officers involved in the investigation.
“Their diligence and hard work throughout the course of the investigation resulted in two dangerous weapons being removed from the streets of Peabody,” said Griffin.