Ohio man who shot himself at museum had shown hostile behavior

COLUMBUS (AP) — Documents show that a former security guard who took his own life at a contemporary art museum on Ohio State’s Columbus campus had a history of hostile behavior toward co-workers.

Dean Sturgis, 63, shot himself in the head at the Wexner Center for the Arts on Sunday.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Sturgis received written reprimands and a one-day suspension in 2006 and 2007 for verbal altercations with a supervisor and co-worker. He had resigned in 2009 to avoid being fired.

A search warrant showed Sturgis had been at the Wexner Center two days before his death. A witness said he made disparaging comments about the artwork.

Officials said Sturgis’ suicide involved him vandalizing some art works on loan to the center for an exhibit. Campus police are investigating.