Posted on 12/01/2003 4:06:08 PM PST by BenLurkin
A U.N. security guard was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head in an apparent suicide committed inside U.N. headquarters on Monday, police said.
AP Photo
Michael Holton's body was found in a third floor lounge shortly before noon. Two officers had been sent to check on Holton after he did not return to his duty station following a break, said Michael McCann, the U.N. security chief.
McCann told a news conference the incident was the first of its kind inside the United Nations (news - web sites) buildings.
Holton, 41, was found in a lounge area where U.N. employees often take their breaks. He was seated in one of the chairs and his gun — believed to be a Glock 9mm pistol — was on the chair next to his leg, McCann said.
Holton, of West Sayville, N.Y., was a 16-year veteran of the U.N. security department and was married with two children, McCann said. He was a U.S. citizen.
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family," the security chief said. "Michael was a terrific officer ... very personable, very friendly, somebody that greeted everybody in a positive manner."
Asked whether the death might have been a suicide, McCann said the incident was under investigation by the New York Police Department and by the FBI (news - web sites).
Police and FBI officials had no immediate comment. But a police source said the shooting was believed to be a suicide.
A 911 caller in the U.N. security office had reported that "a male shot himself in the head," the source said.
McCann said there was no prior indication of psychological problems and that no note was left near the body. He said there were no witnesses and no one was known to have heard anything unusual.
"He's one of my officers; someone well respected. It's not easy answering these questions," McCann told reporters.
He said the U.N. security force has lost two other officers this year: one to cancer and one in the crash of a Staten Island ferry in October.
The United Nations has about 180 security officers at its New York headquarters.
A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan (news - web sites) said Annan was "very sad" about Holton's death and extended his condolences to the family.
Arkancide? He probably said something wrong to the right person.
-PJ
When they figure out some way to blame conservatives for it.
Obviously a very anal retentive man. Shoots himself in the head then neatly puts his gun down. I'm surprised he didn't clean up the splatter, too.
Security accidently overhears Secretary General coddling a Middle Eastern dictator, perhaps trading emergency oil sales for money for food, skimming off the top, something like. Secretary General finds out guard in hall, has him whacked to protect slush fund. Briscoe and temporary detective (a Muslim) investigate.
I see a two, maybe three-part story arc.
-PJ
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.