Elderly man accused of shooting paralyzed wife at Carson City hospital intended to kill her, himself
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 01/20/2014 - 12:04pm
An 88-year-old Minden man accused of shooting his wife at a Carson City hospital on Sunday told the arresting officer that he put four bullets in a handgun with the intent of killing the woman and himself, saying she had recently become paralyzed in an accident.
In a report filed by the Carson City Sheriff's Office deputy, William Dresser said the gun had jammed and that he didn't complete what he set out to do, which was to kill his wife of 63 years and then turn the gun on himself. Dresser is being held on $225,000 bail with a charge of attempted murder with a deadly weapon. The condition of the woman is unknown as of Monday morning. She suffered life-threatening injuries as a result of the shooting.
The arrest report states that at 11:29 a.m. officers responded to Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center in reference to shots being fired. Dispatch advised a husband had shot his wife and the man was being detained on scene by correction officers.
Upon arrival Deputy Don Gibson made contact with Department of Corrections officers and hospital security staff. A security officer was standing next Dresser who was sitting down. He was crying and mumbled words to the affect of he did not accomplish his goal, the arrest report states. The deputy placed Dresser into handcuffs and assisted with securing the crime scene, the report states.
The deputy watched as medical staff rendered aid to Dresser's wife who was on a bed inside the third floor room. As medical staff rolled the female victim out of the room, Gibson said he observed what appeared to be a gun shot wound to the victim's torso region, the arrest report states.
The deputy took statements from security staff and photographed the crime scene. Dresser was moved to another room where Gibson was assigned to sit with him until detectives arrived on scene. While sitting there the officer asked the man for identification of both he and his wife and how long they had been married. Dresser told the officer they had been married for 63 years, the arrest report states.
While in the room, Dresser began talking without being asked questions, notes Gibson in the report. Dresser told the officer that his wife had been in an accident approximately 2 weeks ago and as a result she became paralyzed. He further stated he came to the hospital with a gun and four bullets, two for his wife and two for him, he told the officer.
The man explained to the deputy how after he fired the first shot the gun jammed. He advised that he attempted to fix the gun and the gun came apart on him. He told the officer he failed to complete his mission and that was to kill his wife and himself because his wife did not wish to live anymore, the arrest report states.
Detective Gomes arrived on scene and told Dresser that he would be transported to the Carson City Sheriff's Office where they could talk about the incident. Detective Gomes requested the officer transport Dresser to the station.
Dresser was then booked into Carson City Jail on the charge of attempted homicide.
