Obituary: Gary Webb, Prize-Winning Investigative Reporter (Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wounds)

The Sacramento Bee ^ | 12/12/04 | Sam Stanton and Sandy Louey

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Gary Webb, a prize-winning investigative journalist whose star-crossed career was capped with a controversial newspaper series linking the CIA to the crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles, died Friday of self-inflicted gunshot wounds, officials said.

Mr. Webb, 49, was found dead in his Carmichael home Friday morning of gunshot wounds to the head, the Sacramento County Coroner's Office said Saturday. He left a note, but officials would not disclose its contents.

[DarkSavant]

"I remember reading an account by a NYC detective about an ex boxer who shot himself SEVEN times in the head, using a REVOLVER!"

With a hard head like that no wonder he was a boxer

[Mitchell]

Ping.

[Shooter 2.5]

Before we get too involved with the silly reporting, I might as well clarify some things.
A person shoots themselves only once if they pull the trigger and the gun discharges only once. Even if it's a shotgun with multiple projectiles, it's only once. Pellets from a shotgun or a frangible bullet that breaks up on contact can cause multiple wounds.

A projectile that goes through the body counts as only one wound although entrance and exit wounds are terms that are used. If it reenters the body at some point, it can count as a second wound.

Revolvers chambered for small calibers such as .22LR can hold more than six shots.

[dts32041]

Maxine Waters should be brought in immediately for questioning, on the grounds that she is a plant for the CIA.

The other reason is she is ugly in a no ugly zone.

[al baby]

[investigateworld]

ping

[Dick Vomer]

....of gunshot wounds to the head Plural?

in and out....

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

ping

Pinging me to my own thread? You ARE a kind and considerate one! :)

[elbucko]

...but a single gunshot could cause more than one wound.

Yes, entry and exit.

[investigateworld]

Sorry about that Chief. Need two more cig's and another cup of coffee. (Webb was right you know, remember Strobe Talbot racing into the breech to defend Slick Willy? This is not going to be a good day)

[Domangart]

This is quite common. They will put the gun to the side of their head and flinch before they pull the trigger. This leaves a skid mark. After they recover they do it again and there will be a hole on or close to the skid mark.

[KneelBeforeZod]

I think Taurus has a few 7 rd revolvers

[JudyB1938]

Being "pinged" to your own thread ~ IS ~ funny, Kent ... but I'll betcha investigateworld got mixed up and meant "bump". LOL

[Conservative Infidel]

Likely poor writing, but a single gunshot could cause more than one wound.

Only if you are using one of those Arlen Specter Magic Bullets...

[Toddsterpatriot]

Plural?

Maybe he was a liberal. It could take an entire clip before you actually hit brain.

[Rate_Determining_Step]

Funny pics and funny tag. A perfect two-fer!

[kittymyrib]

Was he a PEST sufferer? Being a writer for the San Jose Murky News, that would be a likely conclusion.

[purpleland]

Short stock ("sawed-off")ShotGun?

Or, "wounds" = entry & exit wounds?

I agree the euphemistic "died" is bad reporting.

The guy shot himself dead in the head. (Allegedly...)

[DoughtyOne]

Yes, I suppose wounds could mean entry and exit. I hadn't thought of it that way. My immediate impression had been several shots fired, but that might not have been the case.

Thanks.

[SmithL]

I'm reminded of a National Lampoon story several decades ago about the suicide of Allende, reporting that "he shot himself multiple times, in the back, from a distance of 15 feet, pausing only once to reload."