Death at Whatcom County rifle range believed to be a suicide

[FourTeeFive]

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/759890.html

Jan, 18, 2009
Death at Whatcom County rifle range believed to be a suicide
ANNA WALTERS / THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

A 25-year-old man from Coquitlam, British Columbia, shot and killed himself at the Plantation Rifle Range at about 2:30 p.m. on Satur-day, Jan. 17, said Sgt. Scott Huso of the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff’s deputies believe that the incident was likely a suicide.

The man had rented a handgun at Plantation and shot himself while alone inside the indoor range. He was transported to St. Joseph Hospital where he was pronounced dead of a self-inflicted gun shot wound, said Jeff Parks, chief criminal deputy for the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office.

Further information was unavailable. The Bellingham Herald does not identify people who commit suicide. Plantation Rifle Range is located just off the North Lake Samish exit on Interstate 5.

It is operated by the Whatcom County Parks & Recreation department.

Sad on all levels. I'm frankly surprised that a Canadian was rented a handgun. I'm not sure of the laws but I know some gun shops have signs saying they do not allow Canadians to handle guns and will not sell them ammo. I hope this doesn't affect the range as it is a nice facility that is supported by the local parks department.

 

[theken206]

most ranges dont rent handguns to loners for just this reason

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Blame Canada.

Seriously, how can you rent a handgun and be alone? Is there a vending machine and drop box?

 

[chris in va]

Seriously, how can you rent a handgun and be alone? Is there a vending machine and drop box?

He was alone in the booth.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Poor reporting, then. The article said he was alone in the indoor range. Ambiguous, I suppose.

 

[chris in va]

I think there's a difference between the 'shop' and 'range' at most places, at least the ones I've been to.

 

[testar77]

Poor reporting, then.

Well this is OBVIOUSLY your first time reading an article written by the Bellingham Herald, the most worthless piece of trash called a newspaper ever produced!!!

Very sad though, I have shot at plantation quite a few times, but haven't in years cuz I joined a club closer to home.

Toby

 

[rainbowbob]

As has been discussed here before...Wades in Bellevue doesn't rent to anyone who does not bring in one of their own. The reasoning is that a person with a firearm already in their possession is not going to come in and rent one for this tragic purpose.

 

[theken206]

nor does bullseye in tacoma I believe

 

[wyocarp]

The indoor ranges I shoot at rent handguns.

 

[theken206]

but to loners sans there own guns??

 

[FourTeeFive]

As has been discussed here before...Wades in Bellevue doesn't rent to anyone who does not bring in one of their own. The reasoning is that a person with a firearm already in their possession is not going to come in and rent one for this tragic purpose.

And Wades started this after having two people kill themselves there:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/shot083.shtml

 

[expvideo]

And I believe Wades started this after having a person or two kill themselves there.

Wades in Bellevue does not allow you to rent a gun and a lane without having a second person with you. I believe you can rent a lane if you have your own gun, but if you want to use one of theirs, you have to have a partner.

 

[rainbowbob]

From the news article linked by FortyTeeFive:

In April 1997, a 24-year-old man was killed while coaching a woman on how to shoot a .44-caliber Magnum revolver. Police said the revolver's powerful recoil forced the woman to bend her elbows past 90 degrees so the weapon's barrel was pointing up and over her shoulder when it went off, striking her coach in the neck.

What is wrong with this story? How does the bullet leave the gun and strike the coach AFTER the recoil kicks the barrel back over her shoulder?

 

[theken206]

second shot I would guess?

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Reminds me of the Brazilian woman who claimed her late husband beheaded himself while shaving.

 

[femoralis]

There was a murder/suicide some years ago at an outdoor public range I used to attend.

A woman shot her boyfriend, then herself.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

A special circle of hell is reserved for the depressive narcissists. They seem to believe that if they are unhappy, everyone else must be or should be unhappy, too. And that if they are going to tag themselves, other people in their life ought to die, too.

"All aboard, the Bipolar Express!"

I personally once derailed that train years ago. See you next Tuesday.

 

[Tom S.]

This is a fairly common occurrence. At the range near my house, there have been several suicides. It is an outdoor range and because it is state owned/maintained, very picturesque. Some believe those who chose to end their life here did so because of these settings.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Well, at least they had the courtesy not to do it at home.

Cleaning brain tissue, skull fragments and blood out of a bedroom is a BIG job.

 

[rainbowbob]

"All aboard, the Bipolar Express!"

I personally once derailed that train years ago. See you next Tuesday.

Huh? You derailed what train? And where will you be seeing us next Tuesday?

Well, at least they had the courtesy not to do it at home.

Cleaning brain tissue, skull fragments and blood out of a bedroom is a BIG job.

And it's not at a gun range?

Perhaps these are attempts at levity. I hope you are more accurate with your firearms than you are with your wit.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Believe me, mopping up the range lane cannot compare to finding, over a period of years, little bits and pieces of the dear departed in the nooks and crannies of the bedroom.

 

[Justin]

Stay classy, Duke.