Carroll O’Connor’s Son Dies Of Gunshot Wound

Carroll O’Connor’s son died of a gunshot wound Tuesday, and police said it appeared he killed himself.

Carroll O’Connor called police to report that his son, Hugh, 33, was despondent, was near guns and had some problems with narcotics in the past, said Officer Arthur Holmes.

“He wanted to help his son, that was paramount. He took it seriously. There were guns in the house and his worst fear has been realized, I guess,” Holmes said.

A crisis negotiator and a special weapons team were dispatched to the house, but found the younger O’Connor dead at about 6:30 p.m.

Hugh O’Connor played Deputy Lonnie Jamison in the show “In the Heat of the Night,” which stars his father as Chief Bill Gillespie.