OKLAHOMA CITY – A shooting at H&H Shooting Sports Complex Monday evening has been ruled a suicide, Oklahoma City police said Tuesday.
Nijim Dabbour, 24, walked into the business, fired a few rounds in the range area, then turned the gun on himself, according to the owner.
“We’re just incredibly heartbroken,” H&H owner Miles Hall said. “When somebody’s in this much turmoil in their own life, you know, you just hate to see this.”
Hall said in the company’s 33-year history, they’ve never experienced anything like this.
Counselors are now helping employees deal with the incident.
Hall said his staff is trained to not allow customers to rent firearms or shoot in the range area if there are any behavioral warning signs.
However, he said Dabbour was friendly to the staff before entering the range and shooting himself.
“Some people would think, ‘Oh, there’s got to be some irrational behavior with this and there’s not,” Hall said. “I wish there was a way that we could do this (identify warning signs) for those friends who are in such pain inside that they think this is the only way out.”
Hall said three other people were on the range at the time of the shooting but none of them were near Dabbour and they were not injured.
The company has received words of support from around the world.
Hall has his own message to others.
“If you’re hurting, you know, go find help,” he said. “That’s what you need to do. There are people who care for you. There’s nobody totally alone in this world that needs this.”
Hall said Dabbour had fired weapons at H&H Shooting Sports Complex several times in the past, most recently in August.
He said the Dabbour was alive when EMSA crews rushed him out of the complex but he died later at the hospital.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, you’re urged to get immediate help by calling 1-800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433).