61-year-old hospitalized after firearms incident

GEORGE — A 61-year-old George man was hospitalized Tuesday night after accidentally shooting himself during an assumed mental health crisis earlier Tuesday morning, according to a statement from Grant County Sheriff’s Office.  

The man arrived at the emergency department at Quincy Valley Medical Center around 9:30 a.m. with a gunshot wound in his torso. The Quincy Police Department questioned the man and the statement released by GCSO says the injury was likely self-caused at his home.  

The man was transported via air ambulance to an out-of-area hospital.  

GCSO sheriff’s deputies and Major Crime detectives went to his home in George, interviewed witnesses, recovered the weapon and collected other evidence. 

Investigators concluded he had suffered a mental health crisis, fired the gun several times into the air, then fell to the ground after he fired a single round into his body.  

The detectives forwarded the report to the Grant County Prosecutor's Office for possible charges of reckless endangerment.  

Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman also wanted to highlight that Grant County has a service called Renew which handles mental health crises and substance use and abuse situations. Foreman said the Moses Lake Police Department has a designated crisis responder who rides along with officers to help with mental health crises, and he said GCSO will soon be getting their own designated crisis responder, also known as a DCR.  

Those struggling with mental health issues can call or text 988 to be connected to a trained counselor for free. Crisis counselors are available 24/7 to support those struggling with suicidal ideologies, substance use, worried about loved ones, in need of emotional support and more.  

Local help is available through Renew by calling 800-852-2923 or visiting crisisconnections.org.