CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- An elderly man shot and killed his ailing wife in a hospital and then killed himself, Pennsylvania State Police said today.

The incident took place inside UPMC Northwest Regional Hospital in Cranberry Township, Venango County, about an hour and a half north of Pittsburgh.

Police said Robert Riddle, 75, of Oil City, shot and killed his ailing wife before killing himself with a small revolver.

Sources inside the hospital said Shirley Riddle, 74, was an Alzheimer's patient who had been in a nursing home until Thursday night when she was admitted into the intensive care unit.

When state police searched the couple's Oil City home, they found a note left by Riddle explaining he didn't want his wife to suffer anymore.

"Her health was failing," said Cpl. John Ghering of the Pennsylvania State Police. "Apparently, he was distraught over that, and that prompted his act. It's very tragic for a lot of us in this community."

"He was just a real nice gentleman," said neighbor Rick Webb. "It's just unbelievable."

According to officials with the hospital, no one else was injured in the shooting.

Authorities continue to investigate.

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