CLINTON POLICE DEPARTMENT: MAN KILLS DOG AND THEN DENIES TRYING TO SHOOT HIMSELF

Lt. Sonny Lynch of The Clinton Police Department said Tuesday that on Monday, April 21, 5:05 p.m., Clinton Police officers were dispatched to the scene of a disturbance inside the residence at 100 Block of West Fairview St. Upon arrival, officers spoke to a female subject who stated that her ex-boyfriend, William Anthony Rodgers, 38, Clinton, had just left the residence on foot. She stated that she and Rodgers were involved in a loud verbal argument and her pit bull became very upset by the yelling and attacked Rodgers. 

Rodgers produced a handgun and fired twice at the dog striking it once and killing it. This took place in the kitchen area of the home. The woman told police that it was not the first time the dog had attacked Rodgers. She said that after shooting the dog, Rodgers put the gun to the side of his own head and pulled the trigger. The gun was not pointed directly at his head, though, and the bullet just slightly wounded the side of his head. Rodgers then dropped the gun and left on foot.

Officers on the scene recovered the weapon and then located Rodgers at Main and Green St. He was taken into custody for medical and mental health evaluation and transported to the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital Emergency Room. Rodgers denied that he was trying to kill himself when the gun discharged and struck him in the head. He stated that he did not know why the gun discharged. He was treated and released and placed under arrest on charges related to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Rodgers was then transported to the Henry County Detention Center where he was incarcerated. He was released after posting a $10,000 bond