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Metro Police investigate a shooting near St. Louis Avenue and Maryland Parkway that left an 80-year-old woman dead in this Sept. 24, 2009, file photo. Police said the woman’s 86-year-old husband shot her, then turned the gun on himself as part of a pact to end the couple’s suffering from health problems. The man survived the shooting but died later that year.
Published Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009 | 8:36 a.m.
Updated Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009 | 3:28 p.m.
Audio Clip
- Metro Police spokesman Russell Shoemaker on the shootings on 10th Street.
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Shooting location
Metro Police arrested an 86-year-old man Thursday who allegedly shot his 80-year-old wife in the back inside their home.
Joseph Woods of Las Vegas was arrested in connection with murder with a deadly weapon and booked in absentia at the Clark County Detention Center, Lt. Lew Roberts said.
Woods is in critical condition at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center after a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chest, police said. Police said Thursday afternoon that Woods allegedly shot his wife in the back.
Police received a call about 6:49 a.m. Thursday reporting that two people were injured inside the house in the 1800 block of 10th Street. Officers found the woman dead at the scene and a man who had apparently shot himself.
The identity of the 80-year-old woman, who was found in bed next to her husband, hasn't been released, the Clark County Coroner's Office said.
Homicide detectives said a pistol was recovered in the bedroom of the house.
Lori Michaels, a neighbor, said she was stunned to hear what happened. She said the man and woman were cheery and brought newspapers and cookies to her house.
"The man was in a wheelchair and didn't talk much, but they had a nice family," Michaels said.
Michaels said the man and woman had a son who lived in a house in the couple's back yard.
Michaels' boyfriend, Charles Simmons, said he has known the couple for years.
"They were my best friends," Simmons said. "It surprised me because they were beautiful people. They never had any arguments."
Police said one person might have suffered from a terminal illness.
The Clark County Coroner's Office will release the identity and the cause of death of the woman.
Anyone with information is being asked to call Metro's Homicide Section at (702) 828-3521, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555.
Or maybe the irreverent comments around here did them in.
More seriously, this pair was up there in age. The first thought in my mind is, was one of them on the way out, and so the two of them then decided together to do this?
America needs to get over its intrusive Christian mindset and allow competent individuals to have access to assisted suicide. I have no idea what the facts are behind this story. But if true that THIS is the way these two were forced to end their lives -because one may have been dying and the other couldn't go on without the first, then I say it's time to round up all the puritans in contemporary society and burn them on their on their own stakes.
No, DTJ, you don't know what the facts are regarding these two people, but you didn't hesitate to use their tragic situation to make hateful and irreverent comments about others whom you have a disagreement with. Nice job of getting your agenda out there.
Condolences to any surviving family members. We need to watch out for others in our communities and lend support to those in need.
How very Sad, what a horrible way to end their lives. Hopefully a follow up story will find out why this happened and not just be forgotten by the media as they typically do after they run their "sensational headlines." Rest in Peace.
Lawabidingsanctimoniouscitizen,
Recognition of a little hyperbole would serve you well. But WHO ARE YOU to criticize me for voicing my opinions on a forum which is *expressly for opinions??*
And you don't understand -or are falsely invoking- the word "agenda." It implies someone is actively pursuing and devoting time and effort to an issue. This is the first time I've ever taken a public stand on issue of assisted suicide, or those who stand in its way. Hardly pushing an "agenda." I'm also surmising it wouldn't have occurred to you to use the word "irreverent," had you not seen it used by me first...
Yes, this is horribly sad. And the man did not die. He still has awful days in front of him. Again, presuming he had wished to pass on, it's tragic that he must now go on like this, presumably separated from his wife, with whom he had wished to leave. There are better ways to this end could have been achieved.
How sad.
Also, with all due respect, I don't thin DTJ's comments were irreverent. Nor hateful. You do hear stories such as this all the time. And until we all know the facts behind what happend (and I hope the Sun follows up), we shouldn't ty and censor other's comments. I can see that is becoming the norm not just here, but other message boards. You can't express an opinion without someone getting on your case about it. I myself have been guilty of it and been guilty of posting inappropriate posts. A lot of us belong to the "post removed" club here at the Su n! We have different opinions and shoulkd be able to express them. I believe that is part of having a democracy; oh yea - and something about the Constitution!
tragic... I agree with DTJ
DetMunch and Jerry,
Thank you, guys. I appreciate it. I realize I might have stepped on a few toes, but I don't believe I crossed any "meanness" lines. Again, thanks.
I have no problem with DTJ's position on euthanasia and his/her right to express it. And I also have a right to respond to opinions as well, especially those that call for "rounding up" people and burning them at the stake because they have a particular opinion and express it. Please read the last line of DTJ's comment at 10:17am. It is hateful, regardless of your feelings on euthanasia. And, yes, this whole situation is tragic, as we now have another piece of information that the female victim was shot in the back.
Law,
The burn 'em on the stake part was n.o.t. s.e.r.i.o.u.s. Myself, I referred to it as hyperbole. I'm not out to round up you, or anyone else. Relax, take a nice, cold shower, and chill out.
There are many suffering elderly Americans that just want to die and can't.
: (
THe way things are going, we may ALL feel like this in another 10-20 years. Who knows what our quality of life will be like, especially if one is suffering from a terminal illness or a debilitating illness....and we won't be able to afford medical care.
hey alot of older people dont want to go on with out each other - i live in a community in Florida 55+ years old )i am younger than that) and last week - a family person was trying to call someone for 2 weeks out of state and could not - so they drove down and broke into the house and found her father dead - he had been dead in the place for 2 weeks or more - I hope he didnt suffer for days before he died - what a find - so something like this is sad - but its quicker.. any way - RIP to the wife and hope the husband doesnt suffer anymore
I just don't understand why someone would use such a violent and messy method. It seems that there must be anger, hatred, hopelessness and self hatred involved.
This is not euthanasia.
The definition of euthanasia is: a "good" death, a welcome way to depart quietly and well from life.
There are so many more peaceful and serene methods of ending one's life, and especially the life of a "loved one".
I find these types of murder-suicides very disturbing. How does such a thing like this affect the family and friends. This was a criminal act by a selfish person.
The fact that the suicide was not successful makes it even more distasteful. The person now receives "life saving care" at somebody's cost, that they obviously would not want...or deserve.... IMHO