Man Shot in Head, But How Puzzles Police

Police are investigating whether a San Diego man accidently shot himself in the head Sunday while cleaning a gun or whether his wound was caused by someone else.

The unusual circumstances surrounding the shooting began at 3:58 p.m. when a man, who identified himself as the victim’s brother, called police from a pay telephone and told them that his brother had accidently wounded himself in the head while cleaning a gun.

Police arrived at the home, a rear unit in the 3900 block of Myrtle Avenue, and found Howard Mullett, 22, lying in the kitchen.

He had been shot in the head, the bullet entering his forehead and going out the back of his head, according to police.

The gun, though, was found in a different location in the house.

Mullett was taken to Mercy Hospital, where he was undergoing surgery Sunday night and was listed in critical condition.

A few blocks from the hospital, police picked up the victim’s brother, Daniel Mullett, 24, and took him into custody. Police said he was being questioned about the incident and the story he told them over the phone.