Cops: Horrified woman watched webcam suicide of ex-boyfriend

[helderheid]

The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 08/20/2008 08:10:38 AM MDT

A Bountiful man shot and killed himself Tuesday afternoon as his horrified, ex-girlfriend watched from California via webcam.

The man had been chatting with his former girlfriend online and had apparently threatened to kill himself. The man was also using a webcam that allowed the California woman to see what he was doing, but the video feed did not have any volume.

Bountiful Police Lt. Randy Pickett said police got a call from the man's ex-girlfriend around 4:10 p.m. and surrounded his home, as they typically do with a suicidal person.

One officer called the man on the phone and spoke with him. Pickett said the man agreed to come outside and give himself up, but two to three minutes after he hung up, police heard a gunshot.

Pickett said the California woman saw the man put a hunting rifle to his chest and pull the trigger. But after that, it just looked like the man fell out of his chair.

The gunshot was followed by "a bunch of people moving around inside the house," Pickett said, adding that police soon discovered there were other people present in different parts of the Bountiful home. They were likely roommates and friends who did not realize what was going on. In fact, Pickett said they did not even know the police had surrounded the home.

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[The Stranger]

1. Now tell me again why the police surround the house and make him "give himself up"?

If he is threatening himself, wouldn't he give himself up to himself -- not the police?

[L0oniX]

2. I think they do that because of the possiblity of suicide by cop.

[tuckessee]

5. And the cops do everything they can to make it possible. n/t

[LisaL]

6. Some suicidal people can also be homicidal.

Police obviously has to be careful in such a situation.

[BeeBee]

3. Yikes! My hometown...

Suicide is most difficult for those left behind. My thoughts go out to his family. How horrible for his ex-girlfriend to see that.

[beam me up scottie]

4. What a lousy thing to do to his ex.

I understand suicide (better than most people) but anyone who would do this to another person is a selfish, heartless bastard. He didn't just kill himself, he doomed her to a lifetime of nightmares and guilt.

[sharesunited]

7. Suicide's final thought is always the same: Regret.