This browser does not support the Video element.
Father, son dead in murder-suicide at hospital
Carla Bayron reports
SEBRING, Fla. - A father shot and killed his son and then turned the gun on himself Thursday morning at AdventHealth in Sebring, according to the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say they were called to the hospital shortly before 11:30 a.m. for reports of an active shooter.
According to HCSO, 66-year-old Joe Landon brought his adult son with special needs, identified as Noah Landon, to the hospital. The father was having trouble with his son, and deputies said the son was being somewhat combative and was placed in a mental health room in the emergency room.
"The special needs young man was having a rough day," Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman said. "A very difficult day, and staff was trying to get him the help he needed."
While inside the room, deputies say the father pulled out a handgun and fired shots into a wall to get other staff members at the hospital out of the room.
Afterward, deputies say he shot his son, who was lying on a bed, and then shot himself. Both men died on the scene.
Hours before the shooting at 8 a.m., deputies responded to the hospital to deal with another encounter between the father and son.
The sheriff said it does not appear the father aimed at the two workers inside that room when shots were fired. There were no other injuries during the incident.
"Nurses and doctors come to work to save people's lives and were exposed to something different, so we're praying for them as well," Blackman said.
Advent Health Sebring is offering confidential mental health resources and chaplains for their staff members.
"Taking someone's life or your own life is never the answer," Blackman said. "It's a solution to a temporary problem."
The father and son did live together at a home in Sebring and their next of kin is still being notified before deputies can release their names.
If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to civilians and veterans. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
WATCH FOX 13 NEWS:
This browser does not support the Video element.
SIGN UP: Click here to sign up for the FOX 13 daily newsletter