Morenci man’s death on U.S. Highway 191 investigated as a self-inflicted gunshot

Walt Mares Photo/Gila Herald: Thumb Butte, at center background, is at the Greenlee-Graham counties line in the Black Hills between Safford and Clifton. The county line, at milepost 144, is where a man allegedly shot and killed himself after an argument with his spouse. The photo was taken near milepost 140 upon entering the Black Hills. Clouds hung low over the area during a rainstorm on March 13.

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

BLACK HILLS – A man found deceased in the Black Hills area of the U.S. Highway 191 early Saturday morning died from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot.

Jacob Shay Webster, 25, of Morenci, was driving his truck on the highway when he allegedly had an argument with his wife. Webster reportedly pulled over, got out of his vehicle and fatally shot himself.

Troopers were dispatched at about 12:30 a.m. to the area near milepost 144, which is in the Black Hills, regarding a deceased man on the highway.

State detectives were later called to the scene, and the case remains under investigation.