SALINA, KS – June 26, 2025 – Law enforcement are investigating a tragic incident that occurred early Thursday morning at Salina Regional Health Center, where an 87-year-old Salina man died by suicide in the emergency room waiting area.
According to Salina Police Captain James Felldman, officers responded to the hospital’s Emergency Room just after 7:00 a.m. after reports that a man had allegedly shot himself.
Investigators determined that the man, an 87-year-old Salina resident, had walked into the ER and made contact with staff. After checking in, and while in the waiting room, he produced a handgun and shot himself. There were no other individuals in the waiting area at the time of the incident.
Immediate life-saving measures were performed by hospital staff, but the man was pronounced deceased just after 8:00 a.m.
Salina Regional Health Center activated its active shooter protocol at approximately 7:08 a.m. in response to the incident. Fortunately, no other patients or staff members were harmed.
The Emergency Room remains open and is accepting patients, though they are being rerouted to another area of the hospital. Salina Regional Health Center is fully cooperating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy,” said Joel Phelps, President and CEO of Salina Regional Health Center. “Our thoughts are with all those affected and we are committed to supporting our staff and patients during this time. We are thankful that the SRHC team and patients were unharmed.”
Hospital officials emphasized that the safety and well-being of their patients, staff, and visitors remain their highest priority.
