Police treating downtown shooting as suicide attempt

Harrison Thorp 10:12 a.m.


Police treating downtown shooting as suicide attempt

Police at the scene of a self-inflicted shooting at Care Pharmacy on Tuesday. The white truck can be seen at right. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Police are treating the shooting at Care Pharmacy on Tuesday as an attempted suicide and say the shooting occurred inside the man's parked white truck near the northern exit of the pharmacy's parking lot.

Rochester Police Capt. Jason Thomas said a handgun was recovered at the scene, but said there were no reports of anyone hearing the gunshot.

Police were on scene shortly after the initial call was made at 1:56 p.m. and an officer and paramedic arriving together found the man conscious but bloody and severely wounded by a single gunshot.

Police theorize the victim had the windows rolled up when he fired the gun, which may be why there were no reports of anyone hearing gunfire.

"We have no report that anyone heard a gunshot," said Thomas, who said he wasn't yet aware of where the man was wounded.

The victim was transported to Frisbie Memorial Hospital and later transferred to Portsmouth Regional Hospital for treatment. His condition today was unavailable.

Police say the man was middle-aged, but are not releasing his hometown nor whether there was a suicide note inside the vehicle.

Thomas said the pharmacy remained open throughout the incident, but that the northern exit from the parking was blocked off for the duration.

He said four or five cruisers had been dispatched to the scene upon the initial call, with witnesses reporting a man was bleeding and needed help.