MOUNT CARMEL - Borough police and the man who was a passenger inside a vehicle when a Mount Carmel man was shot confirmed Saturday that the wound was self-inflicted.
Police Chief Brian Shurock told The News-Item that the victim, a 42-year-old male from Mount Carmel, shot himself in the abdomen at approximately 10 p.m. Friday evening.
His passenger, Adam Gondol, identified the victim as Chris Scipio, of Mount Carmel. A person under that name was listed Saturday in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. The victim was taken to Geisinger via Life Flight helicopter shortly after the shooting occurred.
Gondol contacted The News-Item Saturday afternoon after he read about the shooting in Saturday's edition and heard rumors floating around town.
"Stories get blown out of proportion and rumors fly. I tried to help him but it all happened quickly," Gondol said.
Gondol said Scipio arrived to pick him up at his home a few minutes earlier on Chestnut Street about a block away from the location where the incident occurred.
"I just thought it was going to be some time for me and him to just go out and kick back and forget about stuff," Gondol said. "It all happened so fast."
According to Gondol, the car, a Grand Prix, was headed down East Avenue toward Market Street when the driver pulled out a gun.
"He took out the gun and held it to his chest," Gondol said. "I went to grab him but he pulled the trigger and the gun went off."
Scipio shot himself in the abdomen, falling on Gondol.
"I had to reach over and stop the car. It was still moving at the time," Gondol said.
A woman living near the scene said Friday night she heard someone yelling for help as she was in her home watching television. When
she came outside, she saw "a bunch of people around the car with cell phones calling 911."
Gondol said he was the one yelling for someone to help his friend.
"He had been depressed for a while over a number of things, and he had talked about it before. We all managed to talk him out of it," the passenger said.
Although Shurock did confirm that the victim's injuries were self-inflicted, he said a few more interviews need to be conducted before the investigation is completed.