26 year old woman in critical condition.

News says it's an accidental shooting.  Could possibly be an attempted suicide as it happens once in a while.

Attempted suicide.  Range staff supervised and intervened but couldn't stop it in time.  Happens once every few years at a range.  Usually don't hear about it.

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News organizations generally do not publicize suicides.
I think it's something like a code of ethics.

In the United States, there are no industry-wide standards. A survey of in-house
guides of 16 US daily newspapers showed that only three mentioned the word
suicide, and none gave guidelines about publishing the method of suicide.

Craig Branson, online director of the American Society of News Editors (ASNE),
has been quoted as saying, "Industry codes are very generic and totally voluntary.
Most ethical decisions are left to individual editors at individual papers. The industry
would fight any attempt to create more specific rules or standards, and editors
would no doubt ignore them.

No matter how close the RO is watching the person, it's almost impossible to stop them if they want to shoot themselves.

Waikiki ranges had this issue, so they attached the front of the barrel to a wire system which makes it difficult for the person to turn the gun on themselves.  They would have to step over the firing line to shoot themselves.

I don't think anyone can just "step over the firing line," if this is the range you're referring to:

Attempted suicide.  Range staff supervised and intervened but couldn't stop it in time.  Happens once every few years at a range.  Usually don't hear about it.

Yes news update confirms self inflicted.

I had no idea that this happens at ranges.

if it's just a suicide, the news intentionally ignores the story, so you will probably not see it.  This one is a mother who shot her son and then committed suicide at a range:

https://youtu.be/x-kN39AlR-c?si=Q90qhEw5JsihrdE1

Why do this at a range?  There are so many secluded spots one could choose if they wanted to ensure no one else injured, etc,

Often the suicidal person doesn't own a gun nor do they have access to one.  Maybe they have diagnosed mental problems which stops anyone who knows them from letting them shoot theirs?  if you don't own a gun and don't want to (or can't) borrow one, renting a handgun at a local range is a simple way to get around the background checks and healthcare investigations many states require before you can possess one.

That’s actually very disquieting - and I’m not just referring to the possibility that it may happen while you’re also there.

If anyone has any theories - like it’s something we all toss around the campfire chat - please share them.

Suicide normally falls under the category of mental illness or defect.  The person is experiencing some stress, drug-caused problems or chemical imbalance making them suicidal.  There's no way to know for sure at the moment they pull the trigger.  Guns are "advertised" as quick, painless, and effective for ending a life.  Around half of all gun-related deaths each year are self-inflicted & classified suicide.  The reasons can vary from financial problems, extreme emotional distress, or a terminal health condition.

Yes news update confirms self inflicted.

I had no idea that this happens at ranges.

Why do this at a range?  There are so many secluded spots one could choose if they wanted to ensure no one else injured, etc,

That’s actually very disquieting - and I’m not just referring to the possibility that it may happen while you’re also there.

If anyone has any theories - like it’s something we all toss around the campfire chat - please share them.

There's a lot the news doesn't tell us. Precovid, the average Japanese tourist suicide in Waikiki was about 1 a day.  That number has gone down since covid and much less are coming here. Talk to any cop who was in that area and they will confirm.

There's a lot the news doesn't tell us. Precovid, the average Japanese tourist suicide in Waikiki was about 1 a day.  That number has gone down since covid and much less are coming here. Talk to any cop who was in that area and they will confirm.

Not that high,  Maybe a couple successful ones per year at the peak, and multiple attempts that were stopped.  It could've spiked when the Japanese economy fell off a cliff.

People choose guns for suicide since it's very effective, painless, and it's not as scary compared to other methods.

A lot of people jump off the H3 freeway just after the tunnels on the windward side.  Very high drop.  I'm sure many people may change their mind after looking down.

painless???

If you gonna off yourself don't inconvenience others.   It's your life feel free to do what you want with it.