Man convicted for shooting himself in Worcester County

A Maryland man was convicted on multiple gun charges after he was shot last year in Ocean City. 

The Office of the State's Attorney for Worcester County says on Tuesday, 19-year-old Ibrahima Diallo, of Frederick, MD, was found guilty by a jury on charges of having a handgun on his person, possessing a firearm by a minor, and illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition after having been disqualified. The charges stem from a June 2017 incident that happened in Ocean City.

On June 9, the Ocean City Police Department responded to the 75th Street Medical Center to meet with an individual who had reportedly been shot in the leg. Initially, Diallo reported that an unknown individual had shot him. He later retracted that statement and gave a written statement to police stating that he had in fact shot himself and lost the handgun somewhere on the beach. 

After an extensive search, authorities say the handgun was never recovered.

During the trial, law enforcement says Diallo's defense was that his original statement was true, and he had in fact been shot by a friend. He apparently did not want to incriminate his friend, so he contrived the story of shooting himself. 

Sentencing has been deferred pending a pre-trial investigation. Interim State's Attorney, Bill McDermott noted that the State would also attempt to seek restitution for The Town of Ocean City for the resources used in searching the beach.