Doc shot by patient he denied narcotics

[Keith B]

C O R N E T T S V I L L E , Ky. (AP) - A patient who made threats after being denied narcotics at a rural Kentucky clinic returned and shot his doctor to death, police said.

John Combs, 46, is charged with murder in Tuesday’s slaying of Dr. Dennis Sandlin, said Kentucky State Police Trooper Tony Watts. Combs had been a patient of Sandlin’s earlier in the day, returned with a gun and fired at the 57-year-old doctor, Watts said.

Watts said police don’t yet have a motive. A Perry County sheriff’s deputy said Combs had asked for narcotics but was required to give a urine sample, which he refused to do.

“From that point, he got real angry, he just went crazy, and he made a threat he was going to come back and blow up the building,” said Sam Mullins, who responded when the clinic called about the threat.

Combs was arrested at his home in the Redfox community in Knott County. Watts would not say what type of gun was used and did not know how many shots were fired at the Leatherwood-Blackey Medical Clinic in the southeastern area of the state.

Clinic officials didn’t want to press charges, Mullins said, so the deputy left.

“They didn’t think he was going to follow through,” he said. “I asked did they want to press charges, because it was a terroristic threat, a very serious one. We see threats all the time. This is one of those occasions, someone followed through with a threat.”

Michael Caudill, CEO of Mountain Comprehensive Health Corp., which runs the country clinic, described the shooter as “a disgruntled patient” but did not elaborate. An official at the Perry County Detention Facility did not think Combs had an attorney.

After the shooting, state police took over the investigation, Mullins said.

Combs spotted Sandlin in the doctor’s treating area, which is separate from the waiting room, and fired, Watts said. Patients were at the clinic, but Watts did not know how many because they had cleared out by the time police arrived.

Watts said he had no knowledge of Combs pointing the gun at anyone else.

Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo, also a physician in Perry County, knew Sandlin.

He said if the killing had to do with the doctor refusing to give the patient prescription pills then “this drug problem is tearing the fabric of our communities, of our society, and I’m angry.”

[joe817]

What a tragedy. They had the opportunity to get this drug addict off the streets, and they refused to press charges.

*shakes his head*.

[Oldgringo]

What a tragedy. They had the opportunity to get this drug addict off the streets, and they refused to press charges.

*shakes his head*.

A long time ago, somebody observed that, "nice guys finish last". This is a classic example of the truth in that observation; an observation that is perhaps more true today than ever...alas.

[joe817]

What a tragedy. They had the opportunity to get this drug addict off the streets, and they refused to press charges.

*shakes his head*.

A long time ago, somebody observed that, "nice guys finish last". This is a classic example of the truth in that observation; an observation that is perhaps more true today than ever...alas.

Indeed O.g. This ain't the same place as it was when we were growing up.

[KD5NRH]

Watts said police don’t yet have a motive.

Is there a betting pool I can get in on? I have a strong hunch on this one.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

My dentist has his CHL. I don't know if he packs in the office,
but I bet he does. A disgruntled patient might be looking back
at the dentist's weapon if he tried some violence.

Since his dental assistants are always in the room with us, I
have not had a chance to find out what gun he carries, but
I may find out on the next visit.

SIA