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79 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, June 19, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend June 17, 2004 Elderly man kills wife, then himself Grants Pass police have disclosed no motive in the nursing home deaths By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune GRANTS PASS — A man visiting his wife at an assisted-living facility shot and killed her Wednesday morning before turning the gun on himself, police said. William Buck, 84, and his wife, Dorothy Buck, 83, of Grants Pass, were both found dead in an outside gazebo at Highland House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 2201 Highland Ave., Grants Pass police Sgt. Rob Gunderson said. A handgun was found at the scene. "We believe he killed her and then he killed himself," Gunderson said. At about 9:10 a.m., a Highland House worker phoned 911 to report a shooting in progress. A resident of the quiet neighborhood also called 911 to report hearing shots fired. The calls drew a heavy response from Grants Pass police, emergency crews and Josephine County sheriff’s deputies. Staff members at the nursing home locked down the facility until police arrived and secured the area, Gunderson said. Officers discovered the couple in the gazebo, dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Advertisement Dorothy Buck had been a Highland House resident for about one month. Gunderson said he believes she was in "poor health." The motive for the shooting was under investigation. Gunderson said the Bucks had lived in Grants Pass for some time. Vickie Buck, a daughter-in-law of the couple who also resides in Grants Pass, said Wednesday’s incident "totally" shocked the family, but she declined further comment. At Highland House, residents and staff were being offered counseling, said Robert Swinea, administrator of the facility. More than 150 people live in the nursing home. "Everyone is still in shock," Swinea said late Wednesday. In a written statement, he added that "The deaths at our facility this morning are a human tragedy that will not be forgotten." Swinea declined further comment, citing medical-privacy issues and the police investigation. Reach reporter Jack Moranat 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times