Oregon Public Broadcasting

Central Point Police, in southern Oregon, have closed the investigation into the shooting of State Senator Jason Atkinson, and identified the other man involved.

Police say Atkinson was fixing a bicycle owned by Bill Leep, a friend and Jacksonville City Councilor.

Atkinson dropped a bag containing a gun owned by Leep and the gun accidentally went off, shooting Atkinson in the right leg, above the knee.

Lieutenant Steve McGee says Leep forgot to tell Atkinson there was a gun in the bag.

Steve McGee: “Senator Atkinson was actually the one that dropped the weapon, that caused it to discharge and strike him in the leg. We just wanted to make sure there wasn't some type of law or criminal activity involved. At this point, we found that nothing applies to the case as per our investigation.”

Concealed weapons charges will not be filed, because the shooting was on a private residence, police say.

Atkinson remains in serious condition at Providence Medford Medical Center, and his family has said he will require at least one more surgery in the next few days.

Atkinson ran for governor in 2006 as a Republican. He has been mentioned as a prominent candidate for 2010 as well.