Son: Dad cut own throat after shooting me

A Butler County man told police his elderly father shot him as they were target practicing, then slashed his own throat.

State police today released more information about Wednesday afternoon's incident in Fairview Township.

Patrick Joyce, Sr., 83, of Ohio Township, was visiting his son, Christopher, 43.

The two were outside shooting at cans with a .380 caliber handgun when Patrick Joyce made "suicidal statements," said he would "take you with me" and shot his son at close range twice, in the hip and lower torso.

Christopher Joyce said he wrestled the handgun away from his father and called 911, having to try a couple times because his cell phone cut out.

When he returned to his father, the man was bleeding from self-inflicted cuts to his neck, Christopher Joyce told police. He apparently used a blade from a box cutter

Patrick Joyce died at the scene and Christopher Joyce was flown to Allegheny General Hospital.

At a press conference today, police said they did not know why the father was suicidal.



First published on September 30, 2010 at 9:56 am