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Silver City New Mexico

Authorities say an employee at a New Mexico gun shop was unloading a handgun when he accidentally shot a customer in the back.

The Las Cruses Sun-News reports the 65-year-old customer was airlifted from Silver City to a Texas hospital, where was listed in stable condition Tuesday afternoon.

Silver City Police Chief Ed Reynolds says an employee at Copper County Sporting Arms was unloading a .45 calibre handgun when the weapon went off, shooting the man in the back.

Emergency responders closed off the street in front of the shop, so a medical helicopter could pick up the customer. It flew him to an El Paso, Texas, hospital for treatment.

Reynolds says the investigation is ongoing, and it's unclear whether any charges will be filed. No names have been released.

A person who answered the phone Tuesday at Copper Country declined to talk to the Sun-News.