Sean Fitzpatrick, 16, Left Disfigured and Partially Blind
After a 'Suicide by Cop' Attempt
by Kevin Caruso
Sean Fitzpatrick brought a 9mm semi-automatic handgun to his high school on September 22, 2003. When the gun was discovered, the police were called and
the school was evacuated.
When the police arrived, Fitzpatrick briefly talked with them, but afterwards he fired his
gun into a closet and then pointed it at the police.
The officers fired in self-defense, hitting Fitzpatrick three times, in the face, abdomen, and right arm. He survived but was seriously injured and rushed to a local hospital.
He was left disfigured, partially blind, and barely able to speak.
Police officers found a two-page suicide note in his home in which he said that he was depressed and that he wanted to "commit suicide by cop."
On May 6, 2004, Fitzpatrick, as part of a plea bargain, pleaded guilty to eight counts of reckless endangerment and was sentenced to 45 days of house arrest.
On May 13, 2004, he attempted suicide by tring to overdose on ibuprofin pills.
He was placed in a psychiatric hospital after the attempt.
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Only one person out of 25 who attempts suicide actually dies by suicide.
And those who attempt suicide and survive are often left brain damaged, disfigured, or paralyzed.
Suicide by cop is an extremely dangerous thing to try. It is always wrong, and it always
has horrible consequences - police officers can be killed or injured, bystanders can be
killed or injured, and the person who wants to die may end up with irreversible brain damage,
horrible disfigurement, or paralysis.
Suicide by cop is never the answer to any problem.
Indeed, any kind of suicide is never the answer to any problem.
Getting help is always the answer.
If you are suicidal, you probably have a mental illness, like depression.
Untreated depression is the number one cause for depression.
If you believe that you may be depressed, please make an appointment with a
doctor and a therapist so you can be assessed and receive treatment.
Never, ever, under any circumstances even consider suicide by cop.
And never, ever, under any circumstances consider dying by suicide.
Always reach out for help when you are suicidal.
If you are suicidal, you want to end your pain, not your life. So get help
to end your pain.
Call 911 or 1-800-SUICIDE right now if you need to. There is help for you.
If you or someone you know is suicidal, please go to the Home Page of this website for immediate help.
Thank you.
I love you.
Take care,
Kevin Caruso
