A man running for the Mississippi state legislature committed suicide Tuesday after fatally shooting his wife at the medical clinic where she worked, according to a report from Fox News.
Carl Robinson, 43, had just received divorce papers from his estranged wife when he showed up at the Williams Medical Clinic in Potts Camp. After pacing around outside for several moments, Robinson reportedly walked into the facility and shot 34-year-old Latoya Thompson.
“We found the shooter dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head,” Marshall County Sheriff Kenny Dickerson told the Daily Journal. “He and his wife were in the process of a divorce. His wife was lying on the floor near his body.”
Deadly divorce
A .38-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver was recovered near the scene of the murder-suicide, according to the sheriff. No one else was harmed in the confrontation.
“A lot of folks were shook up, but no one else was injured,” Dickerson remarked.
Police responded to an emergency call around 10 a.m. to the clinic on South Center Street, the Daily Journal reported. A witness told authorities that a suspect had shot one or more people.
Initially, doctors working at the clinic were able to establish a faint pulse from Thompson. However, she died as medical workers were loading her onto a helicopter for transport, Dickerson said.
#mentalhealth is a serious matter in #divorce. If you fear for your safety, you are the first line of defense. Restraining order only a piece of paper, police take minutes to arrive. Be smart. Be safe. Use common sense especially at the outset of a case. https://t.co/qbLonYLowa
— Raiford Dalton Palmer (@raifordpalmer) July 17, 2019
Political vetting
Robinson was seeking election to the state House of Representatives in Mississippi’s District 5, which includes Benton, Lafayette, Marshall, and Tate counties. He was preparing to compete against two other Democrats in the primaries on Aug. 6.
The incumbent, John Faulkner of Holly Springs, was set to defend his seat against Robinson and one other candidate.
Since no Republicans were running, the winner of the August primary would automatically succeed in the general election.
Robinson and Thompson lived in Benton County, not far from the scene of the tragedy.
A neighbor who spoke with local FOX13 Memphis referred to Thompson as a “real nice girl” who was “friendly and would help you do anything.”
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