Air Force says shot fired at Ohio base hospital was apparent suicide attempt

6/13/2011
ASSOCIATED PRESS

DAYTON, Ohio — Air Force officials say a shot fired in the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base medical center in southwest Ohio appears to have been an attempted suicide.

Officials say they still are investigating the Saturday evening shot at the base emergency room. They say a retired Army sergeant major came in at about 6:30 p.m. and fired a shot that appeared to be directed at himself. The 9mm handgun shot didn’t hit anyone, and the man was taken into custody by security forces.

An Air Force statement says witnesses reported that the man seemed to be distraught and intoxicated. He is being treated at the hospital, and his identity is being withheld because of patient privacy rules.

The Air Force did not mention whether he could face charges.