A desperate Florida veteran shot and killed his wife and stepdaughter – both terminally ill – before taking his own life Wednesday, police said.
Thomas Schultz, 64, told a 911 dispatcher that he had cared for his injured family members, but that “we are in an impossible situation, no way out,” the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office said.
As the dispatcher tried to reassure the retired Air Force soldier, Schultz said he should take off the phone.
“I’m getting ready to shoot myself,” he said, according to authorities.
Deputies responded to his home and found him dead on the back porch of a self-inflicted gunshot wound with a revolver next to him.
Police then entered the residence and found his 80-year-old wife shot in her bed.
Schultz’s stepdaughter was also found shot in a hospital bed in another room while still connected to feeding tubes linked to her illness.
“We learned from the family that both Schultz’s wife and stepdaughter suffered from incurable diseases,” said Sheriff Chad Cronister.
Chronister said the 911 dispatcher had recently lost a loved one to suicide and was battling Schultz’s death.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Cronister confirmed that Schultz’s wife and stepdaughter had incurable diseases. FOX 13 Tampa Bay
“She is fighting even more than normal,” he said, noting that Schultz had no criminal record and had never been called home before.
A neighbor told the Tampa Bay Times that Schultz had confided his difficulties to him recently and said his situation was becoming unbearable.
“He said it was kind of stressful, somehow overwhelming,” Quinn told the paper. I said, “I’m here if you ever have to talk and if there’s anything I can do, let me know.” He said he would.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for a free and confidential crisis consultation. If you live outside the five districts, you can call the 24-800-273-8255 24-Hour Suicide Prevention Hotline or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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