ST. GEORGE — A gunshot call sent multiple police and emergency units to an espresso shop on Sunset Boulevard Wednesday afternoon, where a man died from what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The incident occurred at Perks Espresso and Smoothies located at 1515 W. Sunset Blvd. in St. George. Multiple police units and emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene, where they arrived to find several bystanders attempting to assist the man, who was sitting at one of the tables near the front of the shop.
St. George Police Officer Tiffany Mitchell told St. George News the incident is being investigated as a possible suicide, adding detectives were still processing the scene and further information would be released as it became available.
Mitchell said the man was in his late 80s and was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has yet to be released.
On Wednesday evening, Perks released a statement on social media regarding the incident, which was witnessed by a number of customers and bystanders. The statement addressed those who were at the shop “as the traumatic event unfolded,” by saying the business will be holding an event to address issues that can result from witnessing the loss of life.
The owners thanked the caring guests and staff who tried to render aid to the man and the St. George Police Department “for their quick response.”
The statement closed by saying, “We send our condolences and support to families affected” and also posted information on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which can be reached by calling 800-273-TALK.
In response to the incident reported Wednesday, the St. George Police Department sent seven patrol units and three detectives, which were joined by personnel from the St. George Fire Department and Gold Cross Ambulance.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress in the United States. The organization operates more than 180 centers nationwide and the lifeline service is available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.
The organization states that suicide is the second-leading cause of death among young people, and, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, was the tenth-leading cause of death in the nation, according to CDC data released in 2019.
Every year in the U.S., more people die by suicide than in car accidents, and there are more deaths from suicide than from homicides and AIDS deaths combined.
Additionally, for every person who dies by suicide, there are another 316 who seriously consider taking their own life but do not go through with it. Since 2005, the Lifeline has taken more than 20.4 million calls.
In Utah, suicide is the leading cause of preventable death, according to “Live On Utah” which is one of the 180 centers in the Lifeline network and provides resources for those who are in need of help.
This report is based on statements from police, emergency personnel or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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