Police: Care Pharmacy parking lot was scene of self-inflicted shooting

Police at the scene of a self-inflicted shooting at Care Pharmacy. The white truck can be seen at right. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Police have confirmed that the disturbance at the South Main Street Care Pharmacy on Tuesday afternoon was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound of a man in the parking lot.

The man, who is middle-aged, was transported to Frisbie Memorial Hospital and later transferred about an hour ago to Portsmouth Regional Hospital, according to Rochester Police Capt. Jason Thomas.

The victim's condition is unknown at this time.

Earlier reports from passers-by had indicated a possible robbery at the pharmacy.

Witnesses said they saw the man outside his white truck covered in blood and trying to wave down passers-by.

Thomas said the pharmacy remained open throughout the incident, but that the northern exit from the parking was blocked off for the duration.

He said four or five cruisers had been dispatched to the scene upon the initial call at 1:56 p.m. with witnesses reporting a man was bleeding and needed help.

Details of the shooting including the hometown and age of the victim were not released.

Dr. Terry Bennett, who has a practice nearby, said he'd learned from one of his staff that people were having a hard time getting in to the doctor's office parking lot and went out to find that police seemed to be working an active crime scene.

An employee from Yankee Electric across the street said around 3:10 p.m. some of the police presence had left, but they also had seen the earlier police activity and an ambulance at the scene.