Published: September 10, 2018

A COLBERT COUNTY MAN IS DEAD AFTER SHOOTING HIMSELF INSIDE SHOALS HOSPITAL SUNDAY MORNING.  ACCORDING TO THE TIMES DAILY, EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WERE NOTIFIED JUST BEFORE SEVEN AFTER RECEIVING CALLS FROM NURSES IN THE HOSPITAL WHO ADVISED THEY HAD HEARD A GUNSHOT INSIDE THE FACILITY. THE CALL WAS INITIALLY REPORTED AS AN ACTIVE SHOOTER AND THE HOSPITAL WAS IMMEDIATELY PLACED ON LOCK DOWN UNTIL POLICE COULD SEARCH THE BUILDING AND DETERMINE THERE WERE NO OTHER SHOOTERS.  WILLIAM EDGAR NICHOLS, 79, OF LEIGHTON,  WAS FOUND DURING THE SEARCH NEAR THE ELEVATORS WITH A SELF INFLICTED GUN-SHOT WOUND.  NO OTHER INJURIES WERE REPORTED, NICHOLS WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.   MUSCLE SHOALS POLICE, ALONG WITH OFFICERS FROM SHEFFIELD, TUSCUMBIA AND THE COLBERT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE RESPONDED TO THE HOSPITAL.  THE INCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.