VIDALIA — A Texas man was hospitalized Thursday after he accidentally shot himself in the leg in the Vidalia Walmart parking lot.

Martin Hooker, 45, was in the area working on a Natchez construction site when he and another male made the trip to Walmart, Vidalia Police Chief Ronnie G. “Tapper” Hendricks said.

While the other subject went into the store, Hooker reportedly took out a Sig Sauer .45 he recently purchased in Texas, and while he was examining the weapon, the gun discharged, Hendricks said.

The bullet entered his upper left thigh and exited through his calf, Hendricks said.

Hooker was transported to Natchez Regional Hospital for treatment.