CLARKSTON, WA – The shooting death of a 35-year-old man in the 600 block of 13th Street has been deemed a suicide. According to the Clarkston Police Department, a passerby saw Floyd Parker in his car along the side of the street at about 4:34 a.m.on Monday. He was then seen leaving that location and traveling south before stopping in the street a short distance away. That passerby checked on Parker and called dispatchers to report that he was bleeding. It was determined that he had suffered three gunshots to the chest.
“The wounds were believed to have come from a .22 caliber handgun located next to him. Mr. Parker was transported to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead,” CPD says.
An autopsy was conducted by the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office today.
“The autopsy revealed the cause of Mr. Parkers death to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Two of the three gunshot wounds were not immediately fatal. Based on the autopsy and investigation which included witness and family member observations and statements, and evidence gathered from Mr. Parker’s vehicle and home, his death has been ruled a suicide,” CPD says. “According to family and other interviewed, Mr. Parker was struggling with the recent death of a close family member and his own health issues. During the day leading up to the incident, his behavior, especially with the clarity of hindsight, was concerning. Mr. Parker left his residence shortly before being located in his vehicle on 13th Street. Upon leaving his residence, Mr. Parker was seen taking something out of a drawer that was later found to contain an empty holster fitting the handgun located in his vehicle and the same type of ammunition loaded in the gun.”
“With the circumstances surrounding the incident and out of respect for the grieving family, the police department wanted to be absolutely certain that information was accurate being released to the public. Mr. Parker’s death is not connected to the recent homicide in Pullman, Washington. Also, the vehicle he was driving has a valid license plate and is registered to him at his home address in Clarkston,” CPD says. “We would like to thank the Asotin County Sheriff’s office, the Clarkston Fire Department, Asotin County Coroner Lisa Webber, and Nez Perce County Coroner Joshua Hall for their efforts and assistance, as well as the community’s patience regarding this tragic situation. Our hearts go out to Mr. Parker’s family for their loss.”
