Man fatally shoots himself at Inova Fairfax Hospital
Fairfax County VA Jan 25 2019
A 64-year-old patient fatally shot himself Tuesday night at Inova Fairfax Hospital, authorities said.
Thomas Wimmer, of Ashburn, shot himself in the upper body at least once and died at the hospital after receiving treatment, police said. It was unclear why he was at the hospital, where the gun was obtained and why he was wielding it.
Police said at a news conference that they were sent to the hospital about 8:50 p.m. in response to a report of a patient with a gun. According to the report, police said, the man was “brandishing a pistol” on the fourth floor of the heart and vascular center.
As officers were en route, the man shot himself in the upper body, police said.
After officers arrived, Wimmer was responsive to them but refused to surrender his firearm for about an hour, police said. Officers eventually were able to safely enter Wimmer’s room and render medical aid.
He was taken to the hospital’s trauma center, where he died shortly before 11 p.m., police said.
A Virginia medical examiner will perform an autopsy to confirm Wimmer’s cause of death. No other injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
Washington Post
