Bowling Green Police Division responded to a call Friday about a suicidal 84-year-old man in great pain from a terminal illness, who was holding a handgun while lying in bed.
Officers blocked off the streets around the 300 block of North Enterprise Street at 12:42 p.m., and talked with family members to gather information about the man. Neighbors were taken to a safe location.
An officer was able to reach the man on his phone. The man said he was coming out of the house. As he opened the back door, police could see the only item in his hand was a cell phone.
The man let police into his house and told them the gun was on his bed. Officers secured his revolver, which had five bullets in the cylinder.
The man’s home health care worker and Bowling Green Fire Division personnel arrived at the home, treated the man and took him to Wood County Hospital. The man’s son took custody of his dad’s firearms.
