US man distraught over zoning decision kills himself in front of City Council

[GraceAbounds]

US man distraught over
zoning decision
kills himself
in front of City Council
​

(AP) - CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee-A business owner shot and killed himself during a City Council meeting after members voted against his request to rezone his property, witnesses said.

Ronald "Bo" Ward, owner of Bo's Barber Shop, had told the council his business would go under if he could not get his home rezoned as commercial. After the 5-7 vote Thursday night, Ward stood and walked toward the council.

"Ya'll have put me under ... I'm out of here," he said before shooting himself in the head with a small handgun.

Fire and police officials attending the meeting immediately ushered the audience of about 50 into the hallway, where several people were sobbing.

At least one police officer is always on duty during council meetings, officials said. However, visitors are not required to go through a metal detector or any other screening.

"When a gun gets whipped out like that, someone is going to get shot, but I didn't know who," Councilman Bill Summers said. "You could've been right next to him, and I don't think you could have stopped that."

Mayor Johnny Piper said Thursday's council meeting would be the last held in that room.

Ward had said the rezoning would increase his property value, allowing him to secure a loan to offset debt he incurred when he expanded his shop.

The current commander of the 101st, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser, said Ward was well known by soldiers from generals to privates.

"When a soldier got their hair cut by Bo, you got more than just a haircut - you got a story, a pat on the back, and words of encouragement from a patriotic citizen who genuinely cared about soldiers," he said.

US man distraught over zoning decision kills himself in front of City Council

This article saddened me.

 

[TheOriginalJames]

Reminds me of Bud Dwyers suicide.

I feel bad for the family of the guy, but he took it over the top.

 

[GraceAbounds]

He sure did.

I feel bad for the people that had to witness it as well.

You never know when people are on the verge of going over the edge sometimes.

 

[Maritxu]

Very sad
once an inmigrant burned himself over here because he wasn't allowed to work and his children were dying of hunger.

 

[GraceAbounds]

Very sad
once an inmigrant burned himself over here because he wasn't allowed to work and his children were dying of hunger.

It is so sad to see what desperation will lead people to.

 

[Boomer]

I would never let money push me to that level.

 

[Maritxu]

I would never let money push me to that level.

I guess when money means your family getting a something to eat things change a bit. It's just sad