Man shoots himself at Widewater State Park in front of law enforcement

Two men in Stafford County shot themselves over the weekend.

Deputies went to an apartment complex on Waterside Terrace, behind a Holiday Inn Express in North Stafford, after someone reported shooting at 11:57 p.m. Sunday, December 19. They found a man suffering a gunshot wound to the head.

The sheirff’s office states:

Sgt. Forman located the male, in his twenties, in an apartment, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The scene was made as safe as possible and Sgt. Forman began life-saving efforts on the victim. Fire and Rescue responded and transported the male to the hospital, where he is expected to recover.

The handgun was seized as evidence and witnesses at the scene described the gunshot wound as self-inflicted. Detectives are continuing to investigate the case, but do not believe there is any danger to the public

Meanwhile, on Saturday, a man shot himself in the chest on the bank of the Potomac River in Stafford County.

Deputies went to Widewater State Park, at 101 Widewater State Park Road, at 7:33 a.m. Saturday for a report of a man who wanted to harm himself. They found a man in his 20s standing by the river with a handgun.

The man threatened to shoot himself in the head. Eventually, the man shot himself in the chest, was taken to a hospital, and expected to survive.

More from Stafford sheriff’s office:

Upon finding the man, sergeant J.D. Floirendo, Deputy S.M. Eastman, and Deputy T.M. Givler began checking the park toward the river. Deputies located the subject near the shoreline and observed he was holding a handgun. The deputies began to build a rapport with the subject using crisis negotiating skills and continued to request that he drop the firearm. Unfortunately, they could not convince the man to drop the gun and he shot himself in the chest.

Deputy D.J. Taylor had also arrived on scene and brought his department issued medical kit to the shoreline. Deputies provided first aid, including a chest seal, to the victim as they awaited Fire and Rescue. The man was transported to the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

While the holidays are typically an enjoyable time, they can create added stress. If you need mental health support, there are people ready to help. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is free, confidential, and available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.