Man shoots himself in hand outside Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, prompting brief lockdown

A man who shot himself in the hand outside the Fountain Valley Regional Hospital prompted a brief lockdown of the facility Friday afternoon.

It was around 2 p.m. when officers were called to the hospital, on Euclid Street and Warner Avenue, said Lt. Steve DeSantis.

A couple had driven their friend, a 58-year-old man from Huntington Beach, to the hospital because he was having suicidal thoughts, DeSantis said. Once outside the emergency department of the facility, the man apparently took out a gun.

One of the friends tried to intervene with the armed man, DeSantis said, but the man ended up shooting himself in the hand three times.

The hospital was put on lockdown briefly as officers investigated and recovered the gun but it was re-opened soon after, DeSantis said. His injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.

The wounded man was set to be hospitalized for his wounds and for a psychological evaluation. No other people were injured during the shooting.

Any witnesses are asked to contact the Fountain Valley Police Department at 714-593-4485.