Escondido

A Vista man walked into an Escondido shooting gallery Thursday, rented a gun, bought ammunition and shot himself in the head, Escondido police said.

Ronald Hugh Hamilton, 44, died a short time later of massive head injuries at Palomar Hospital, a police spokeswoman said.

Witnesses told police that Hamilton entered Shooters Emporium, an indoor shooting gallery at 241 N. Marketplace, about 3 p.m., and rented a Smith & Wesson .357-caliber revolver, the spokeswoman said. Witnesses later saw Hamilton fall to the floor, she said.

Paramedics took Hamilton to Palomar Hospital, where he died.