Horror as father shoots himself in head live on TV as children watch
JoDon Romero, 33, had been engaged in a lengthy police pursuit back in September, 2013, which was being broadcast as it happened live on Fox News. As coppers surrounded Romero he made the tragic choice to end his own life.
Angela Rodriguez, the mother of JoDon Romero's youngsters, was viewing at home with their children, aged nine, 13 and 15.
After seeing the distressing footage she launched a lawsuit claiming the children endured severe emotional and psychological trauma from witnessing the horrific death.
The mother of three alleged infliction of emotional distress, according to the BBC, reports the Express.
Fox News was covering the pursuit with a live helicopter feed and transmitted the shooting. After a commercial break the news presenter apologised saying: "We really messed up, and we're all very sorry." Fox News has apologised for the broadcast, putting it down to 'human error' (Image: Fox News)
Later, a Fox News executive also apologised and attributed the broadcast to "severe human error" after showing the slightly delayed live suicide.
The broadcaster has apologised for the "severe human error" that resulted in the death's transmission.
On September 28, 2013, Romero shot himself in the head at the conclusion of an hour-long police pursuit after nicking a car at gunpoint, as a news helicopter hovered overhead. Police officials said he had an extensive criminal record and was sought for parole breaches.
Rodriquez has filed a lawsuit against Fox News Channel and its parent company, News Corp, alleging that on the day in question, Romero's children heard whispers at school about a suicide broadcast live on television. They returned home and sought out the footage on YouTube, only to discover it was their father they were watching.
Rodriguez claims her children "have been, and continue to be, severely traumatised" by the footage, exhibiting symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, including flashbacks and sleep disturbances.
Phoenix police reported that the man who seemingly shot himself on live TV was being pursued by officers following a carjacking of a 2008 Dodge Caliber.
Officers stated the man commandeered the car at gunpoint in west Phoenix around 11:00am local time and was trailed through city streets and a state highway.
The man fired shots at officers and a police helicopter at one stage during the chase, but no other injuries were reported, according to Police spokesperson Sergeant Tommy Thompson.
He confirmed the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after abandoning the car on a dirt road.
American Fox News stated: "We took every precaution to avoid any such live incident by putting the helicopter pictures on a five-second delay.
"Unfortunately, this mistake was the result of a severe human error and we apologise for what viewers ultimately saw on the screen."
The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If you require an immediate response, it's advisable to ring them directly. You can get in touch by dialling 116 123, sending an email to jo@samaritans.org. uk or visiting their website at www.samaritans.org..
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