SERVICES HELD FOR ROANE SQUAD MEMBER - Medical Examiner Will Determine Cause

(12/21/2001)
Spencer Police Chief Gary Williams said the gunshot death of Roane County Rescue Squad member John L. Epling was self-inflicted. The State Medical Examiner will determine if the shooting was intentional or accidental.

Funeral Services were held yesterday in Spencer for the 65-year-old man, who died shortly after a gunshot was heard in the squad's parking lot last Sunday afternoon. Epling, who was discovered in the back of his pick-up truck, suffered a fatal wound to the chest. Found next to the victim was a .35 caliber hunting rifle.

Roane EMS rushed Epling to Roane General Hospital, where he was dead on arrival.