Man, 62, who died by suicide at Lockheed Martin gate was an aircraft mechanic on leave
The man who last week shot himself in the head inside of a car after trying to enter a Lockheed Martin facility was an aircraft mechanic who had been employed by the aerospace company for about 20 years.
Richard Bains, 62, died by suicide of a shotgun wound, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.
At the time of his death on May 19, Bains was on an administrative leave, a Lockheed Martin spokesman said on Thursday. He did not elaborate. White Settlement Police Chief Christopher Cook said that he believed that Bains had been dismissed about eight months ago.
When Bains approached a security guard at the main gate, the guard noticed something amiss. During the nearly 10-minute interaction, the guard engaged with Bains, then alerted supervision for support at the Lockheed Martin main entry gate in northwest Fort Worth near White Settlement.
Police locked down the area about 5:30 a.m. while they investigated the man’s briefcase and his car. Police said the briefcase and car were X-rayed and held no explosives.
Bains was in distress and trying to enter the facility before security challenged him, Cook has said.
Police expanded the lock down “based upon comments the suspect made prior to the shooting” and after locating a “suspicious device” in the suspect’s vehicle.
The man told security that he was looking for a federal office and wanted to talk to the FBI. The guards thought that the statement may be a security threat, Cook has said.
If you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.
This story was originally published May 26, 2022 at 3:15 PM.
