An unidentified man told police officers he was shot in the leg while out for an early morning stroll in Washington Square Park.
After EMT's arrived to treat the victim's leg wound, police searched the man and found a spent shell in his pants pocket.
Police sources said after a preliminary scanning of the crime scene they are treating the incident as if the wound was self-inflicted.
The man was taken to Bellevue Hospital for further medical treatment.
The Police secured the park and surrounding area to search for the weapon.
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