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Subscribe to RSSUpdated at 2:38 p.m. ET: An Ohio man accused of shooting his 65-year-old wife as she lay ill in a hospital intensive care unit could make his initial court appearance sometime this week after an autopsy is performed, The Associated Press reported.
Police say John Wise, 66, shot his wife while standing at her bedside Saturday evening in the neuroscience ICU at the General Medical Center. Barbara Wise was declared brain dead Sunday morning.
Deputy Chief for the Akron Prosecutors Office, Craig Morgan, told NBC News the attempted aggravated murder charge against Wise may be upgraded to murder because Barbara Wise was still alive when the charges were first filed.
"The circumstances have changed from the night the charges were filed until today," he said.
The incident may have been a mercy killing said Capt. Dan Zapelli of the Akron police Department.
“It seems to be slanting that way. He wanted to take away her suffering,” he said.
The AP reported Wise is under police guard in an undisclosed location and will soon be booked in the Summit County jail.
"He's been cooperative and forthcoming with the investigators," he said. "He's given a statement to the investigators. It's certainly helping to assist with their investigation."
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Jim Gosky, spokesperson for the medical center, told NBC News one shot was fired in the ICU room. Security officers responded and subdued Wise before police arrived.
Gosky could not give the reason for Barbara Wises’ admittance to the ICU or her length of stay, citing patient privacy laws.
The couple had been married 45 years.
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