Veteran commits suicide at VA medical center

AMARILLO (KVII) - Wednesday morning, a veteran committed suicide in front of the Thomas E. Creek VA Medical Center.

The Amarillo Police Department was dispatched to the VA hospital just after 7:00 am Wednesday morning for a call of a man suffering from a self inflicted gunshot wound. APD has confirmed the man was dead when officers arrived.

"Our deepest condolences are extended to friends and family of the veteran. We're cooperating with local authorities on the investigation," said Barbara Moore, public affairs officer for the Amarillo VA.

Amarillo police have confirmed the veteran was a 75-year-old man. No other details have been released to maintain the privacy of the person.

The latest numbers from the Department of Veterans Affairs show in 2014, an average of 20 veterans died from suicide every day. That number accounted for 18% of all deaths from suicide by adults in the United States.

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If you, or a veteran you know needs help, please contact the Veterans Crisis Line at (800)273-8255 and press 1. This line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.