[sbMKE]

First two were grazing shots — guy didn’t want to do it and took some time to get up the nerve.

Local reports say he had spent some time that day talking with the police chief and prosecutors via phone to find out what would happen to him when/if captured. Seems consistent with a “snap” rage case and not premeditation.

[tobyhill]

What did he expect, a million dollars and a one-way ticket Denmark for him not to kill himself?

[elli1]

Seems consistent with a “snap” rage case and not premeditation.

I'm not buying 'snap' rage. The perp was in sufficient control of his faculties to resist flying off the handle & punching someone. He would have gotten the crap beaten out of him if he had.

[tet68]

The will to live can be very strong even for one bent on suicide.
I remember reading a detective’s account of an ex-boxer
who committed suicide in the Bowery, he shot himself
SEVEN times with a .38 revolver before he was successful.

Note. this meant at some point he had to RELOAD!