Purdue student shoots himself at Lafayette indoor shooting range

LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Ernesto Tangassi Lucio went to Applied Ballistics Saturday night, rented a gun and was shooting inside until he turned the gun on himself, according to Lafayette police.

Lucio, 21, a senior from Zionsville studying computer science at Purdue University, shot himself once in the head after Applied Ballistics employees told him they were preparing to be locked up, police said.

The crew walked out of the range and heard the shot, police said, noting that the 911 call came in Saturday around 7 p.m.

Video shows the wound was self-inflicted and appears to be intentional, police said.

Lucio was rushed to a local hospital and died early Sunday.

Tippecanoe County Coroner Carrie Costello said an autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

“We are saddened each time we experience the death of a student and extend our condolences and support to his family, fellow students, friends and anyone affected,” Purdue spokeswoman Erin Murphy wrote in a prepared statement.

“As a reminder, Purdue provides mental health services and support to all members of our campus community,” Murphy wrote, noting that the Purdue Student Help and Crisis Line is 765-495-4357.

Anyone struggling with thoughts of harming themselves can call 988, a 24-hour hotline, to get help.

Reach Ron Wilkins at [email protected]. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on the Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue student shoots himself at Lafayette shooting range