One Dead, One Critical In "Mercy Killing"

"EWING, NJ — A son shot his mother in the head, killing her, then turned the gun on himself in a failed suicide attempt Saturday afternoon in what police are investigating as a possible mercy killing.

"Both the 89-year-old mother and her son, 67, had been suffering from medical problems, said Casey DeBlasio, spokesperson for the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. However, the motive, along with everything else in the case, is still under investigation.

"DeBlasio said the names of the mother and son were being withheld as police were trying to notify other family members of the tragic news.

"The first report of the shooting came at about 4:45 p.m., DeBlasio said. The son had taken his mother for a walk near their home on Heritage Court just off of Scenic Drive.

"As they walked along the roadway, she said, the son pulled out a gun and shot his mother in the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The son then turned the gun on himself.

"He was still alive, however, when police and rescue personnel arrived on the scene. He was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition after undergoing emergency surgery. He is expected to survive.

"DeBlasio said Ewing Township and Mercer County detectives were interviewing potential witnesses to the shooting, and that more information would be made available when possible."

From The Trentonian...