“He Would Have Killed Them, Given A Chance” Says Relative Of Victim Of Shooting At Northumberland Hills Hospital
Exclusive – A relative of the victim killed by her husband at Northumberland Hills Hospital said the family is relieved at the report released by the Special Investigations Unit.
The SIU released their report on November 21, 2018 concluding two Cobourg Police officers were justified in the shooting death of Tom Ryan.
Ryan and his wife Helen were taken to Northumberland Hills Hospital on October 27, 2017 after he uttered suicidal threats at the couples trailer home east of Colborne.
It’s believed Ryan concealed a fully loaded semi-automatic handgun before he and his wife were taken to hospital by ambulance.
While waiting in a triage room, he shot his wife in the head, then told staff that his wife of 46-years killed herself.
As police responded, hospital staff told officers they were unable to find the weapon and it turned out Ryan had the gun under the blankets. Shortly after police arrived at the room, Ryan removed the sheet, raised his firearm towards the officers who shot and killed him.
“Nobody should be sorry to have ended his life,” said Helen’s cousin Connie Woodcock in an exclusive interview with Today’s Northumberland.
“He was a good shot and he would have killed them, given a chance.”
“He would have shot anyone – he was crazy.”
“This is a man who owned more than 700 guns, by his own remarks to me and several others.”
Woodcock said the family tried speaking with Helen several times about her husband, but she would never leave him.
“I worried about Helen’s safety long before this happened.”
The main focus right now Woodcock and her family has is for the officers involved in the shooting.
“Our family is not surprised by any of this and those officers did the right thing.”
“I would not want them to bear any kind of burden over this.”
Both officers returned to work after the shooting, but have since gone on medical leave.
Previous stories on the incident
Breaking News!!! – SIU Determines Shots Fired at Man in Northumberland Hills Hospital were Justified
Cobourg Police Chief Issues Press Release Concerning Conclusion of SIU Investigation
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love