Man accidentally shoots self on scooter ride to liquor store -- but makes up wild shootout tale instead

A Michigan man will face felony charges after police determined he made up a story about being wounded in a shootout while riding to a liquor store in his motorized cart.

The 49-year-old Mount Clemens man, whose name has not been released, told police he was caught Friday afternoon in a shootout -- but investigators were unable to find any evidence to support his claims, reported the Macomb Daily.

“It never happened,” said Lt. John Michalke, of the Macomb County Sheriff's Office. “We believe it was an accidental discharge of a weapon.”

The man suffered a gunshot wound to his left calf, and he was still on the phone with dispatchers when police arrived.

He was taken to a nearby hospital as police tried to track down the shooters based on descriptions provided by the wounded man.

However, police found no evidence of the shooting and no other complaints about gunfire.

The man, who was treated and released later that evening, eventually admitted he made up the shootout, police said.

Police searched his home after obtaining a warrant but have not located the gun -- which authorities said the man, a convicted felon, should not have been carrying.

Investigators asked prosecutors to charge the man with filing a false felony report and illegal possession of a firearm.

Authorities said the man uses the motorized scooter after suffering a stroke, and they said he had also recently broken his arm.