American who killed self at firing range had cancer

MANILA, Philippines - The 60-year-old American who killed himself with a rented gun inside a popular indoor firing range in Makati City late Thursday afternoon was suffering from cancer.

Makati Police chief Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban said Jeffrey Allen Klein, from California, left a handwritten suicide note which narrated that the victim sought treatment for cancer from a doctor in Bangkok, Thailand but was denied treatment as he has no insurance.

"I went to Bangkok to see a doctor. He told me that I had cancer but I have no insurance. I have been throwing up and I have bad bowel so I decided to end it. I am sorry," read Klein's note, which was addressed to her Filipina girlfriend.

Lukban said Klein's passport also shows that he had also travelled to Cambodia.

Initial investigation showed that Klein went to the gun range of the Jethro International, Inc. Westpoint Gun Club at the basement of the Makati Cinema Square at about 4:12 p.m. and rented a 9mm gun for target practice.

Police said Klein then bought 50 rounds of ammunition and a target board. Police said Klein, who was alone at the indoor range peppered the first target board with bullets and then called the attendant and asked for another target board.

However, as soon as the range attendant left, Klein put the gun to his mouth and fired.

"His teeth were smashed and the bullet exited at his nape," said Lukban.

Lukban said there was no foul play in the incident as Klein was alone when the shooting happened, as shown by a closed circuit television (CCTV) footage taken at the range.

“May cctv footage kung san makikita na kusang kinuha ang baril at tinutok sa kanyang ulo,” said Lukban.

Lukban said police have also cleared the gun range of any responsibility saying that it exercised proper management during the time the suicide happened.