James Campbell Scott, a 22-year-old resident of 7 Cherokee Court in Palm Coast, died of a gunshot wound to the head in an apparent suicide Thursday, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Scott’s 25-year-old brother called authorities at 10:36 Thursday morning, reporting to a 911 dispatcher that it looked like his brother had killed himself. James Scott had used a 9mm semiautomatic handgun. He was alive when paramedics arrived at the house minutes later, but barely.
His brother attempted chest compressions but was in agonal breathing as authorities attempted to secure an emergency helicopter airlift, first through Trauma One in St. Johns County, then through Air One in Volusia County, Trauma One being down. Flagler County’s own emergency helicopter, Fire Flight, was taken out of service at the beginning of the month and until the new year, for maintenance.
Air one made it to the scene and lifted off with Scott at 11:26 a.m., 50 minutes after the shooting was reported. Scott had a Glasgow Coma Scale reading of 3, the lowest possible short of cardiac arrest, and paramedics were not hopeful. A full trauma team was summoned to the helipad at Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach, where the helicopter landed some 10 minutes later.
Eventually 14 deputies, detectives and a victim’s advocate reported to the scene on Cherokee Court, where a crime scene was established, as is routine in such circumstances, and broken down in early afternoon.
Scott subsequently died. A sheriff’s spokesperson said family was with him at the hospital.
The following resources are available for individuals in crisis:
In Flagler: The Crisis Triage and Treatment Unit (CTTU) is a crisis assessment and referral service for Flagler County residents experiencing behavioral health crisis. It is located at 301 Justice Lane in the Brown & Brown Outpatient building at the Vince Carter Sanctuary in Bunnell. This program is limited to individuals escorted to the program by law enforcement between the hours of noon and midnight daily. Law enforcement is able to transport individuals to SMA to assess and determine the appropriate clinical disposition. When required and appropriate, SMA then transports the individual to a receiving facility in Volusia County.
In Daytona Beach: Stewart-Marchman Act Corporation Crisis Center
1220 Willis Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Crisis Line: (800) 539 – 4228
Available 24 hours.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800/273-8255 (TALK), or use the online Lifeline Crisis Chat, both available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
People 60 and older can call the Institute on Aging’s 24-hour, toll-free Friendship Line at 800-971-0016. IOA also makes ongoing outreach calls to lonely older adults.
If you are concerned for someone else, read about warning signs here. For additional resources, see the Speaking of Suicide website.
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pete says
Prayers to young man’s family& friends.May God watch over all.
anonymous says
Eventually 14 deputies, detectives and a victim’s advocate reported to the scene on Cherokee Court
14 Deputies and how many detectives with a victim advocate were on scene?
Are there even 14 deputies working a shift in Palm Coast? If there are not many more. How many deputies need to be at a suicide/death call? I’m sure there are facts left out or not known but 14 Deputies on a scene for a death/suicide call? A few detectives possibly. Seems to me to be more resources than needed here. Why would 14 Deputies be warranted at a death/suicide unless an active shooter type scenario? Who was in charge of the situation and why so many deputies?
David Schaefer says
I feel sorry for the families. Why have 14 deputies at the scene while they need them patrolling elsewhere…..
Sad says
Absolutely heartbreaking.
Flatsflyer says
14 Deputies, plus Detectives, plus other personnel, and Staley says he needs additional help? Maybe he needs to learn something about properly allocation, deployment and utilization of both equipment and human resources.
Thetruth says
Sounds like Flagler County needs another emergency helicopter. Why is there only one available and taken out of service for repairs until a the New Year? For the safety of the residents of Flagler County why aren’t our election officials bringing this up in their meetings? Something wrong with this picture.
C’mon man says
I’m sure if there were that many deputies it was warranted for that moment. An apparent suicide means it wasn’t confirmed and could have been something else. Plus let’s not forget the 14 included supervisors who showed up Command staff and deputies needed to close roadways so helicopters can land. I’m sure the roadways were covered. But what’s really important is this family and the pain there going through not your feelings towards the sheriff.
Jo-Anne Mione says
Condolences to the Scott family at this very difficult time. God’s peace & comfort to you.
I’m very saddened to hear of this loss.~Jo
Lnzc says
It took an hour for helicopter,why not use ambulance,would have been quicker
Nancy says
We are sending our prayers. This is so heartbreakingly sad.
Bill says
WOW so sad. Wonder why?what made this poor young man see no other option in his life. On a side note get a life to all those disparaging the Sheriffs office and officers in this tragedy.
Totheidiots says
Prayers to the young mans family… and shame on those who didnt even grasp what the article was about…. a 22 year old committed suicide and youre all more worried about how many deputies were on scene… but at least it wasnt your family impacted right?
FlaglerLive says
There are misconceptions about the number of sheriff’s personnel at the scene, for which we take some of the blame as the line in question did not also note that the personnel was in and out of the scene over a period longer than four hours, for different purposes. It does not mean they all responded at the same time (they did not) nor remained there at the same time (they did not), let alone ignore other calls. Suicide calls routinely require a law enforcement response no different than that of a homicide, and are often treated as such until that possibility is ruled out—a call often left not to law enforcement but the medical examiner. Until then, evidence gathering and investigations follow the same routine as required by homicides, complete with crime scene, since the scene can not be recreated past that point.
Brianna Hoskoff says
So tragic that this 22yr old with his whole life ahead of him is gone. Prayers for his family and friends, and may he Rest In Peace.
LawAbidingCitizen says
@ Thetruth
Are you going to buy a 2nd helicopter for them?