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Covington UGA student arrested after firearm accident
William Jesse Holder
William Jesse Holder.

ATHENS, Ga. - The 21-year-old University of Georgia student, from Covington, who accidentally shot himself in the leg, was charged with reckless conduct and arrested Oct. 15.

On Oct. 8, UGA Police Department Officer Josh Epps responded to the fourth floor of the Cedar Street building around 1:55 p.m. to find William Jesse Holder, who said he "had accidentally discharged his handgun into his upper left leg," according to the report. 

Holder was transported to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center for further treatment, and the firearm was secured as evidence.

An investigation was conducted by UGAPD, which "produced evidence that the individual involved had unsafely handled the weapon outside of the holster, which caused the accident to occur," UGA Spokesperson Greg Trevor said.

Almost a week later, Holder was advised to turn himself in at the Clarke County Sheriff's Office by the UGAPD after an arrest warrant was signed by Athens-Clarke County Magistrate Judge Benjamin Makin Oct. 14, according to the police report. 

Holder was arrested Oct. 15 and released the same day on a $1,000 own recognizance bond.