An elderly husband shot his wife at an Ohio nursing home before taking his own life in an apparent murder-suicide.
The Erie County Sheriff’s Office said the incident took place at The Meadows at Osborn Park in Huron around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 1.
First responders reported to the facility after receiving a report of a shooting, according to the Sandusky Register. At the time, the 75-year-old man was visiting his 73-year-old wife, who was a patient at the nursing home.
The man reportedly showed up to the property with a handgun that he snuck in. After staff heard two possible gunshots from the woman’s room, they alerted the sheriff’s office.
The nursing home staff entered the room and found that both the husband and wife were wounded. The staff members then provided medical aid until medics arrived at the facility for treatment.
The woman died at the scene, while her husband was transported to Firelands Regional Medical Center. He later died from his injuries at the hospital.
Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth said the shooting was an “apparent murder-suicide” and that “no one else was injured” in the incident, per the outlet.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims. No details have been shared about their relationship, including how long they were together, if they had kids and how long the woman had been living in the nursing home.
It’s also not currently known whether the husband had a motive in the murder-suicide.
Shortly after the incident, The Meadows at Osborn Park took to Facebook to issue a statement about the tragedy. “During this difficult time we ask for compassion & grace. All residents are safe. Please keep everyone in your thoughts & prayers,” the facility wrote.
Several social media users took to the comments section to react to the shootings. “Thinking and praying for the family and friends of this couple, staff of The Meadows, the emergency responders and the residents of The Meadows. RIP this beautiful couple,” one person wrote, and another added, “Thoughts and prayers for the family and all the staff at The Meadows. So sorry everyone had to go through this.”
The Erie County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding the case. The investigation into the case remains ongoing.
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