Bo Gritz Shoots Himself in the Chest
Bo Gritz, "patriot" leader and former presidential candidate, was found lying wounded beside a highway after a bungled suicide attempt on September 20. Gritz, a former Green Beret colonel, was dressed in full uniform with all his combat medals attached when he shot himself in the chest with a .45-caliber handgun.
Despondent over his impending divorce, Gritz claimed he was trying to extinguish the pain in his heart, but missed. However, there has been speculation about other motives. Gritz faces a prison sentence for his role in the attempted kidnapping of two children involved in a custody battle. The Spotlight, a right-wing tabloid, reported in September that "Gritz announced on his radio program that he was checking himself into a veteran's administration hospital for psychotherapy." Gritz cited a number of reasons for seeking help, but The Spotlight quotes Randy Weaver as saying, "Sounds like ole' Bo is forming his defense for his upcoming attempted kidnapping trial."
Gritz has left his constitutional covenant community Almost Heaven in Idaho and moved to Sandy Valley, Nevada.