Hingham police said an 84-year-old man is in critical condition in a Boston hospital after he shot himself twice on Sept. 25, while he was in a library in the retirement community. No one else was injured.

HINGHAM – An 84-year-old Linden Ponds resident is in critical condition in a Boston hospital, a day after he shot himself in what police say was a suicide attempt.

Sgt. Steven Dearth said the man shot himself twice shortly before 3 p.m. on Sept. 25, while he was inside a library in the gated retirement community.



Dearth said on Sept. 26 that the shooting was connected to “an apparent suicide attempt.”



He said the man was taken to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, then transferred to a Boston hospital with “life threatening” injuries. Police and a Linden Ponds spokeswoman declined to identify him.



Dearth said officers quickly determined that the shooting was an isolated incident, and that no staff or other residents who were near the library at the time were injured.



He said the incident is still under investigation.



Dani Baldassare, a spokeswoman for Linden Ponds’ owner Erickson Living, said on Sept. 25 that social workers were available for residents and staff members.



She said “the safety, security and well-being of our residents is our top priority.”



Dearth said police are also helping them get assistance.





