A 20-year-old man shot himself in the groin early Sunday while trying to hide a shotgun down his pants, city police said.

A news release did not describe the injury except to say that it was "serious."

The victim was being treated at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. His injuries were not expected to be life-threatening, medical officials told police.

Officers responded to the 700 block of North 24th Avenue about 1:30 a.m. Sunday. They found the victim on the side of the road.

He had fired two rounds from the double-barrelled weapon, police said.

Police were continuing to investigate after they recovered the shotgun and an additional firearm reported stolen at the house where the shooting took place.