By Jon Johnson
GRAHAM COUNTY – A distraught man reportedly in pain shot himself intentionally Monday night, Aug. 20, while sitting in his pickup truck in the carport of his residence.
The man suffered a severe wound to his face and was initially transported by Lifeline Ambulance to Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center. From there, he was flown by LifeNet to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix for continued treatment.
According to reports from the Graham County Sheriff’s Office, the man’s girlfriend said he was in pain and had run out of his prescription morphine medication he takes for severe back pain. She said her boyfriend went outside and she heard the pop of a gun. She then went outside and discovered him in the truck with a gunshot wound under his chin.
Neighbors also reported hearing the gunshot, and authorities deployed crime scene tape at the scene during their investigation.
The Sheriff’s Office was first called to the residence on E. Nelson Drive at about 5:17 p.m. By the time deputies arrived, the victim had left the truck and was lying in the gravel to the west of the carport.
After locating the victim, authorities also discovered a loaded .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol in the truck with one spent cartridge in the center console cup holder.
Safford Police also responded and assisted at the scene.
