Missy Wilkinson
The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate
NEW ORLEANS — Two men found suffering from gunshot wounds at a home in Mandeville Sunday were both New Orleans firefighters, according to family members and public records.
One of the men, who died from his injuries, was identified by the St. Tammany Parish coroner as 29-year-old Alec Mulvihill. The second man, who is hospitalized, was 25-year-old Kyle Webber, according to family members.
Deputies responded to a shooting at a residence in the 2000 block of Dupre Street around 9:30 p.m. Sunday, according to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. A spokesperson declined to release additional details, but said “we have no reason to believe anyone else was involved.”
Webber’s grandmother, Helen Daigle, said family members believe Webber was trying to talk Mulvihill down from a mental health crisis when Mulvihill shot Webber, then himself. Mulvihill and Webber worked at the same fire station in New Orleans East, Daigle said.
“He was trying to help his friend,” she said, “and it just went wrong.”
Mulvihill’s mother declined to comment on Tuesday.
Daigle said her grandson is in a Covington hospital, where he remained in a medically induced coma with surgery scheduled for late Tuesday. He was shot once in the abdomen.
He grew up in Algiers and graduated from the New Orleans Military & Maritime Academy, Daigle said. His mother works for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office 911 center. Webber became a first responder, too, after meeting a friend of the family who worked for the New Orleans Fire Department. In his spare time, Webber helps friends renovate houses, she said.
“He’s always willing to help,” Daigle said. “It’s fortunate he is still alive, but he wasn’t able to save his friend.”
The New Orleans Fire Department did not return requests for comment.
Joni Hess contributed to this report.
“Suicide is always preventable. If you are having thoughts of suicide or feeling suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline immediately at 800-273-8255. Counselors are also available to chat at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Remember: You deserve to be supported, and it is never too late to seek help. Speak with someone today.”
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