MACHIAS – A 38-year-old Steuben man has been arrested on a probation violation after a friend accidentally shot his 15-year-old son in the leg.

Sgt. Michael Crabtree of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department said Monday that Eric Peltier was arrested at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth on Sunday evening.

Peltier was with his son, Eric Peltier Jr., who suffered a wound to the leg when a family friend accidentally discharged a .357-caliber Magnum in the family’s Unionville home, the sergeant said.

Crabtree said the bullet went through the fleshy part of the boy’s leg and into a wall in the house.

No charges were filed against the friend, but Peltier’s probation officer placed a hold on the father because Peltier is a felon and is prohibited from having a gun in his home, the sergeant said.

Crabtree said he, Sgt. Michael Riggs and Maine State Police Trooper Jeff Ingemi searched Peltier’s home during the investigation of the shooting.

Officers found marijuana, some cash and a firearm, he said.

Crabtree said the elder Peltier already was under arrest at the time of the search. He was taken to the Hancock County Jail and later to the Washington County Jail in Machias.

Crabtree said Monday he is awaiting results of interviews conducted in Ellsworth.