Carr's death self-inflicted, autopsy says

By Compiled from staff reports

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 22, 1998

n autopsy of Hank Earl Carr confirmed that he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

A 9mm bullet pierced his head about 2 inches above his right ear, the medical examiner's office in Leesburg told Hernando County sheriff's deputies. Carr also was wounded by a .40-caliber bullet that penetrated his left buttock and lodged in his lower back near his spine. Authorities have released Carr's body to his family.

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The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will conduct ballistics tests and hold evidence taken from the Shell station at Interstate 75 and State Road 50, where Carr held a clerk hostage and shot himself.

Donations accepted

A trust fund has been established to help the family of slain Trooper James B. Crooks. Checks should be payable to "Trooper James B. Crooks Trust Fund" and sent to the First Bank of Clewiston, P.O. Box 1237, Clewiston, FL 33440

Donations for the families of Tampa Detectives Rick Childers and Randy Bell can be sent to the Gold Shield Foundation, P.O. Box 271791, Tampa, FL 33688; or to the Police Benevolent Association, 1703 N Tampa St., Suite 8, Tampa, FL 33602.