(AP) — A man wounded his brother and then killed himself while barricaded from police inside a Mississippi house that was destroyed by a fire, authorities said.
Vicksburg Fire and Police responded to a noise complaint around 1:30 a.m. Friday, news outlets reported.
Officers found Ed Watts, 61, suffering from a gunshot wound to his foot. He was hospitalized in stable condition, officers said.
Ed Watts told police his brother Jeffery Watts, 58, shot him after an altercation.
Vicksburg Police Chief Milton Moore said Jeffery Watts barricaded himself inside the home. Moore said officers attempted to kick down the door but then heard three gunshots and backed away.
A fire soon started and engulfed the home, officers said. When firefighters managed to put out the flames, they found Jeffery Watt’s body inside with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Moore said.
Police said the brothers were highly intoxicated. Ed Watts told investigators that his brother was suicidal after losing his job.
A cause of death wasn’t immediately confirmed. It’s unclear what led to the altercation. It’s also unclear what started the fire.