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Florida man shoots himself in leg while livestreaming, pleads guilty to felon in possession of firearm

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BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — A Florida man has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon after shooting himself in the leg while livestreaming on social media.

According to court documents, James Hilligardt, 21, shot himself in the leg on January 23. Deputies with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office responded and found Hilligardt in possession of a sawed-off shotgun. They later found a second shotgun that belonged to Hilligardt buried in a yard.

An investigation revealed that Hilligardt had posted photos of himself with firearms and ammunition to social media on several occasions.

A sentencing date has not yet been set. Hilligardt faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison, the Department of Justice said.

Bradenton community responds after 20-year-old volleyball star dies from disease that affects 2 in a million

The 20-year-old IMG Academy volleyball star and Under Armour All-American died Sept. 16 after a three-month battle with the rare blood disorder — even though doctors had found her a 100% bone marrow match, her mother, Tanya Mack tells Tampa Bay 28 reporter Haley Zarcone.

20-year-old volleyball star dies from disease that affects 2 in a million