Man commits suicide at The Shooting Edge

Albertadiver · #1 12-30-2009, 06:28 PM

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/loc...ub=CalgaryHome

Disturbing incident at gun range
Updated: Wed Dec. 30 2009 17:12:31

ctvcalgary.ca

Grief counselors were brought in after a disturbing incident at a Calgary gun range.

It happened Wednesday afternoon at The Shooting Edge.

A first-time patron to the range committed suicide.

A range officer was giving a safety briefing when the man turned a gun on himself.

Employees say the man showed no outward signs of emotional distress.

Ten people witnessed the shooting including two children who were with their father.

Crisis counselors were called in to help members of the public and employees.

"They're obviously very traumatized by this. [Our employees] take their jobs very, very seriously and to have someone turn a gun on themselves, well, we're all feeling a little broken over this," says J.R. Cox from The Shooting Edge.

The man had been using a number of different firearms before the shooting occurred.

kostianych · #2 12-30-2009, 06:36 PM

the good thing is that the guy didn`t shot other 10 and after that shot himself....

Dick284 · #3 12-30-2009, 06:43 PM

Similar occurance at Wild West a couple years ago, maybe less.

DennyV · #4 12-30-2009, 07:00 PM

The wild west occurance was in august. 2008. And I think one time before that in or about july 2007. The 07 incident two people in one month attemped one successful.

whitetail Junkie · #5 12-30-2009, 07:03 PM

I was there today with my father,minuits after it happened.The cops threw every buddy out.alot of people there were messed up big time.Inncidents like this haunt people all there lives.I feel sorry for the people that saw the horror when the trigger was pulled.

bobjoe · #6 12-30-2009, 07:08 PM

It's sad that he did that to himself there. He wasn't that old either. If a person was going to do it they should do it where it doesn't affect others. The worst part is having to tell the family.

Cooeylover · #7 12-30-2009, 07:21 PM

He was thinking of no none but himself in shooting himself infront of others, even kids, (if this is the true story).
A selfish, cowards way out, IMO.
Nice that he leaves that memory in the minds of other innocent people.

Shouldve done it in another way thats not as messy or in such a public place if he wants to do himself in.
Sceuicide just puts a whole lotta problems on others that isnt asking for it.

Albertadiver · #8 12-30-2009, 07:24 PM

Wife and I found a young man who committed suicide this past spring.

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=31800

bobjoe · #9 12-30-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooeylover

He was thinking of no none but himself in shooting himself infront of others, even kids, (if this is the true story).
A selfish, cowards way out, IMO.
Nice that he leaves that memory in the minds of other innocent people.

Shouldve done it in another way thats not as messy or in such a public place if he wants to do himself in.
Sceuicide just puts a whole lotta problems on others that isnt asking for it.

It is the true story. Sad, but true.

shooter55 · #10 12-30-2009, 08:56 PM

a selfish act which will haunt the Edge folks forever......very sad

#11 12-30-2009, 09:27 PM

Anyone know the requirements to be able to walk off the street and shoot a handgun?

Albertadiver · #12 12-30-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Precisionshooter

Anyone know the requirements to be able to walk off the street and shoot a handgun?

Anyone can under the supervision of a range officer at these ranges. There's insurance forms, disclaimers, etc. that you sign, buy your ammo, and have at er.

#13 12-30-2009, 09:34 PM

I am surprised that there have only been 2 if its that easy!

firegod74 · #14 12-30-2009, 09:37 PM

I can't understand why someone would do it at the range. Did he bring his own gun or do they have guns that people can shoot?
I would like to think it was accidental instead of suicide, though I guess it would make no difference to the people that had to witness it.

elkhunter11 · #15 12-30-2009, 09:49 PM

I think that people do it at the range,because it is the easiest way to access a handgun in a hurry.You walk in ,sign a waiver,and they hand you a gun and ammunition,give you a quick course,and leave you in control of a loaded gun.How much easier does it get?

Stop Staring at my Rack · #16 12-30-2009, 10:18 PM

Very sad that someone has to ruin the lives of others.

My thoughts and prayers go out to thoes who witnessed this, and his family.

firegod74 · #17 12-30-2009, 10:19 PM

I didn't know it was that easy. Wow. I've never shot at a range, only at a dugout hill.

TreeGuy · #18 12-30-2009, 10:48 PM

I'm with CooeyLover on this one. What a selfish jerk! 'Diver, at least the young man you stumbled upon ended his life alone in a quiet and peaceful place. This clown did it in front of kids! I feel for his family but not him....not him one little bit.

Tree

outdoorpursuits · #19 12-30-2009, 10:48 PM

I went there this afternoon around 5:30, I didn't even know anything had happened. They were open, but the staff were all kinda nervous. I shot for about an hour then when I came out of the pistol bay some of the staff told me what had happened. I feel so bad for the staff - nobody needs to see that kind of thing. My condolences to the staff and family of the victim.

nick0danger · #20 12-30-2009, 11:05 PM

My experiance at the edge, was i could not touch the gun and ammo, till i was in the stall, and had the range officer behind me at all times. It pretty sad and i really feel for the people that had to see it.

fluxcore · #21 12-30-2009, 11:49 PM

Unfortunately I dont think he thought of the children or the people who had to witness such a horror. This person went in there to end it all and saying he was selfish is stupid we have no way of knowing what he was going through or his mental health......... In no way was the act malicious he could of thought he was doing the world a favor. Mental health takes a mad scientist to figure out its sad for everyone including him

Justflyfish4eva · #22 12-30-2009, 11:57 PM

that is too bad, I go there every once in a while. feel bad for the staff.
If you have your licence ( restricted) you can just sign the waver, and shoot. no range officer has to watch you. if you have no licence then the range officer stands beside you the whole time. One thing I do know is that almost all the range offficers are packing.

gitrdun · #23 12-31-2009, 08:10 AM

This time of year unfortunately for some is not a happy time as it is for most of us. A very deep depression is a nasty thing that obviously does not result in rational decisions, such as where, when and how. My condolences to his family and symphaties to the witness. A very sad day indeed.

powerman · #24 12-31-2009, 08:23 AM

I feel bad for the children and the parents of the children. They were only trying to share his love of shooting to the next generation. I hope they can get through this. In my experiance the range officers have been very good and are there because they love to shoot and want to pass it on to others, hang in there.

Scotty P. · #25 12-31-2009, 09:57 AM

I went down after work yesterday to look at pistols only to learn what had happened. It's very sad that this man felt he needed to end his life but I have to agree that it was a very selfish of him to do it in front of others, especially children.

BowhuntAB · #26 12-31-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeGuy

I'm with CooeyLover on this one. What a selfish jerk! 'Diver, at least the young man you stumbled upon ended his life alone in a quiet and peaceful place. This clown did it in front of kids! I feel for his family but not him....not him one little bit.

Tree

I agree!!! I feel ZERO remorse for this guy!!! If his life was so bad why the hell would he decide to distroy other peoples lives by doing this in public!!! Selfish crap if you ask me. I feel horrible for all the people who witnessed this jerk end his life and for the guys family.

Bushrat · #27 12-31-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BowhuntAB

If his life was so bad why the hell would he decide to distroy other peoples lives by doing this in public!!!

A shocking act to witness but I don't think it will destroy their lives.

GeoTrekr · #28 12-31-2009, 01:19 PM

A horrible thing to witness, especially for the range officer that was right there at his side. I worked there for a bit, and I can't even begin to imagine how I would feel after what should be yet another fun afternoon teaching a newbie how to shoot, turns into such a disaster. Then the inevitable second guessing about if there was anything that could've been done or noticed.

It's terrible. The staff will never be the same after this experience, but hopefully they can put it behind them soon.

I believe this is the first incident that could be placed in the serious injury/fatality category that has ever occurred at TSE. It goes to show how professionally the facility is run, and the overall responsibility of the clientele.

My thoughts for the family of the deceased, staff at TSE, and the customers present, especially the 2 kids. I hope what they saw was limited.

hunterman06 · #29 12-31-2009, 04:04 PM

My husband was there yesterday and was four feet away from the guy who did it. It is terrible that anyone had to witness such a horrific event. Our thoughts are with the two younger children who had to go through this.

Selkirk · #30 01-02-2010, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooeylover

He was thinking of no none but himself in shooting himself infront of others, even kids, (if this is the true story).
A selfish, cowards way out, IMO.
Nice that he leaves that memory in the minds of other innocent people.

Shouldve done it in another way thats not as messy or in such a public place if he wants to do himself in.
Sceuicide just puts a whole lotta problems on others that isnt asking for it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shooter55

a selfish act which will haunt the Edge folks forever......very sad

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeGuy

I'm with CooeyLover on this one. What a selfish jerk! 'Diver, at least the young man you stumbled upon ended his life alone in a quiet and peaceful place. This clown did it in front of kids! I feel for his family but not him....not him one little bit.

Tree

Quote:

Originally Posted by BowhuntAB

I agree!!! I feel ZERO remorse for this guy!!! If his life was so bad why the hell would he decide to distroy other peoples lives by doing this in public!!! Selfish crap if you ask me. I feel horrible for all the people who witnessed this jerk end his life and for the guys family.

X5 ^ ... I couldn't agree more!!!

But then again (the other side of the coin), it's also very sad

My condolences to all involved.

TF