Man treated for self-inflicted gunshot wound

From Staff Reports

   An 18-year-old man was transported to the Johnson City Medical Center Monday afternoon and treated for minor injuries from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
   Joshua C. Irick, 127 Dan Cole Road, was at the residence of his grandmother, Merle Irick, when he shot himself in the head with a .410 gauge shotgun.
   According to the report filed by EPD PTL Shannon Peters, Mrs. Irick stated that while she was in the kitchen she heard a loud noise and when she went downstairs into Irick's room, she found him sitting on the bed and bleeding from the right side of the head and the gun beside him.
   Mrs. Irick stated that she picked up the weapon and carried it out of the room and hid it and then called 911. She told officers that while she was on the phone, Irick came upstairs and laid down in the living room floor.
   According to the police reports, Irick was conscious when police arrived. Peters asked Irick what happened to which he replied, "I shot myself." When asked why by Peters, Irick replied, "I am in a deep depression." According to the report, police found a suicide note in Irick's room.
   According to Peters, no charges are pending on the matter.