One Dead, One Critical In Geriatric M/S

"BARNESVILLE, OH - Marjorie Wehr died of at least one gunshot wound early Tuesday in what law enforcement termed a `possible murder-suicide attempt` that left her husband, Vernon Wehr, in critical condition.

"Belmont County Sheriff Fred Thompson said a 911 call was received at about 7:30 a.m. from Vernon Wehr's brother, requesting police and an ambulance respond to the Wehrs' residence on Sandy Ridge Road near Barnesville. The caller told dispatchers two people at the home had been shot.

"`Officers found Marjorie deceased in her bed, I believe from a single gunshot wound,` Thompson said. `In the living room, they found Vernon, who also sustained a single gunshot wound.`

"Thompson called the incident a `double shooting in which one victim was the suspected gunman.`

"Thompson noted Vernon Wehr, 83, was transported `as quickly as possible` by a Barnesville emergency squad to Wheeling Hospital, where he underwent surgery. At press time, Thompson said Wehr remained in critical condition.

"Thompson noted that the bullet was lodged in Wehr's spinal cord and could not be removed.

"The sheriff, who was not at the scene, said it was his understanding that both Vernon and Marjorie Wehr, 80, had been shot in the neck with a small caliber handgun.

"Thompson said the gun was recovered at the scene.

"He stressed that no one else was involved in the shooting.

"Although he had not confirmed his suspicions at press time, Thompson said he believed Marjory Wehr recently had been hospitalized. Thompson declined to rule the incident a murder/attempted suicide, saying the matter remained under investigation late Tuesday.

"Thompson added, `I don't want to call it a 'mercy killing,' but ...`"

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