Mumbai: Following an incident on October 18, 2026, in which Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff sustained injuries to his right hand from gunpowder and glass fragments after shots were fired at his car in Juhu, attention has turned to how firearm discharges can cause harm without a direct bullet strike. Medical professionals note that a person does not need to be hit by a projectile to suffer injuries during a shooting.
When a firearm is discharged, hot gases, flames, smoke, unburnt powder particles, and tiny metal fragments are released into the immediate surroundings. Shattered glass can also cause secondary cuts and abrasions. Although these injuries may appear minor at first glance, medical experts emphasize that their external appearance cannot establish the true depth of the tissue damage.
Gunpowder residue injuries occur when materials expelled from a firearm make contact with the skin, leading to irritation, burns, or the embedding of microscopic particles in the tissue. According to specialists, these injuries often manifest as small reddish-brown or dark specks surrounding a wound. At close range, extreme heat and flame can scorch the skin and singe hair, while smoke and unburnt powder leave deposits on the surface.
Experts distinguish between several types of firearm-related trauma. A gunpowder residue injury involves discharged materials contacting the skin. A gunshot wound occurs when a projectile penetrates the body, risking damage to muscles, blood vessels, nerves, bones, or internal organs. A bullet graze happens when a projectile scrapes along the skin surface, causing an abrasion or laceration, while thermal burns result from the intense heat accompanying the discharge.
Although the skin serves as the primary visible indicator of trauma, it does not reveal the full medical picture. A superficial burn or embedded particle may cause localized irritation, but a projectile or flying fragment can travel beneath the skin and injure hidden structures. Clinical assessments are crucial to check for hidden damage, determine if foreign fragments must be removed, and rule out injury to vital nerves or blood vessels.
During a medical evaluation, doctors inspect the affected area for burns, abrasions, embedded debris, bleeding, and signs of deeper trauma. Depending on these findings, diagnostic imaging may be recommended to check for retained fragments or fractures. Treatment for superficial injuries typically involves careful wound cleaning, the removal of surface debris, appropriate dressings, pain management, and a review of tetanus vaccination status, while more severe trauma may require specialist intervention or surgery.