Police: Soldier shot himself to avoid deployment

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- A Fort Carson soldier set to return to Afghanistan intentionally shot himself in the shoulder to avoid deployment, Colorado Springs police said.

Sgt. Robert Murchison, 26, and his girlfriend found a parking spot near Penrose-St. Francis main hospital on Wednesday night and then he shot himself in the car, police said.

Murchison and Chasaity Peoples, 28, first told police that they had stopped to help a stranded motorist and that the driver shot him.

Sgt. Jim Meyers said officers were suspicious and continued to question the couple, and Peoples finally confessed to what happened.

Murchison is expected to remain hospitalized for the next few days but should recover. He and his girlfriend could be charged with false reporting.

Murchison is with the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The 4th Brigade has lost 10 soldiers this month in Afghanistan, including eight killed in a single battle Oct. 3.