Had Been Accused Of Stealing Thousands Of Dollars From The Lindbergh Foundation, Other Aviation Interests

John Knox Bridges, who at one time was the president of The Lindbergh Foundation, shot himself in the torso Friday, according to authorities in Salisbury, NC.

Police Chief Rory Collins told the Charlotte Observer that Bridges had sent a note to a neighbor Thursday morning which was "worded in such a way that everyone knew he was planning to commit suicide." Police found Bridges sitting on the floor of his garage with a shotgun pointed at himself.

Police said they tried without success to talk Bridges into surrendering the weapon. While he did not give up the shotgun, he reportedly did take his hands off it, and an officer used that opportunity to use a Taser in an attempt to disarm him. At that point Bridges reportedly reached for the shotgun and pulled the trigger, and the shot struck him in the left torso.

In 2009, the paper reported that Bridges had allegedly absconded with hundreds of thousands of dollars belonging to artist Ben Long, the North Carolina Transportation Museum, and the Lindbergh Foundation. He reportedly repaid the $600,000 he was accused of embezzling from the Lindbergh Foundation after being removed as its president. He'd been sued by Long, who accused him of taking over $800,000 under false pretenses. He was not charged with any crime.

The paper reports that Bridges was listed in critical condition on Friday. Collins said in his view, the actions of his officers saved Bridges' life.

FMI: www.salisburyncpd.org