Elderly Man Kills Sick Wife, Self in Hospital

An elderly man apparently shot to death his terminally ill wife, then turned the gun on himself Friday in what police describe as a “mercy killing” and suicide in the intensive-care unit of a Chula Vista hospital.

Police say that John Williams, 68, shot and killed his wife, Eiko, 74, before killing himself in Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center.

At the couple’s home in Chula Vista, Williams left a note explaining his actions, a letter to relatives and envelopes with information about bank accounts and funeral arrangements, police said.

The 28-bed intensive care unit is one of the most secure portions of the hospital, with admittance restricted to family members and medical personnel.

The hospital has security guards and cameras at the entrances but does not have metal detectors, a spokesman said.

Eiko Williams, who had undergone radiation and chemotherapy for lung cancer, was in a private room, officials said.

Her husband is suspected of shooting her once in the chest with a .38-caliber handgun and then turning the weapon on himself. He had visited his wife early in the morning, then left the hospital briefly and returned.

No other patients were in the area when the 8 a.m. incident occurred. Crisis counselors were brought to the hospital to assist patients and employees. Counselors also were sent to comfort the Williamses’ relatives.

Officials could not recall another fatal shooting at a hospital in Chula Vista, 10 miles south of San Diego.

“This is very unusual for our community,” said police Sgt. David Eisenberg.