Shortly after a man called 911 saying he wanted to take his own life, a preliminary report says, calls came in reporting the sound of a gunshot in the parking lot.
SAN ANTONIO — A 33-year-old man called 911 minutes before taking his own life in the parking lot of a San Antonio veteran’s hospital, according to an SAPD preliminary report.
Police responded to the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veteran Hospital, near Wurzbach and Babcock, at 12:45 p.m. Thursday. Officials say several people called to report “the sound of a gunshot from a vehicle” at the location.
The victim, who hasn’t yet been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
‘This story is not unique’
This marks the second such incident outside the Medical Center facility this year. On April 7, U.S. Navy veteran Mark Miller shot and killed himself in the same parking lot, spurring a rally by people pushing for better care of military veterans.
“This story is not unique, this story is very common,” Larry Miller, Mark’s father, told KENS 5 at the time.
Larry Miller said his son texted him for the last time on April 7: “Papa, I love you very much, always will.”
He said he sent him back a message, but it was never delivered. He would learn minutes later what happened: His son handed a VIA bus driver a book he had written with his father about veteran suicide.
Then, Mark got off the bus, walked into the VA hospital parking lot and killed himself.
“I think it was out of desperation,” Larry said. “But he wanted to make a point. He made a very loud shot that reverberates around the world.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call the 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.