A Pennsylvania man who was distraught about the coronavirus pandemic and losing his job told his girlfriend, “I already talked to God and I have to do this” — then shot her in the back as she fled and killed himself, according to a report.
Police in Wilson responded about 1:20 p.m. Monday to a report of shots fired on North 17th Street, where they found 38-year-old Roderick Bliss IV unresponsive and not breathing, with a pistol by his side, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
His 43-year-old gal pal, who has not been named, was taken to St. Luke’s University Hospital in Fountain Hill and is expected to survive, Police Chief Chris Meehan said.
She was conscious and alert after being struck in the back and told police that Bliss had shot her, according to the news outlet.
“In the days prior to the shooting, Bliss had become increasingly upset over the COVID-19 pandemic,” Meehan said. “Minutes before the shooting, Bliss was extremely upset about the pandemic and the fact that he had recently lost his job.
“He went into the basement and came outside onto the rear porch with the victim. While holding the handgun, Bliss told the victim, ‘I already talked to God and I have to do this.’ The victim ran off the porch and he shot at her four times striking her once. Bliss then shot himself,” the chief said in the report.
It was unclear if Bliss lost his job due to the economic downturn created by the pandemic, Meehan added.
His death has been ruled a suicide, according to Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek.