Child endangerment case in Waynesboro ends in suicide

A Waynesboro man under investigation for allegedly exposing himself to a child on social media died Monday night of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Patrick Shawn Burns, 41, had come to the attention of Waynesboro Police early Monday morning, after a report that he had exposed himself to a child on Instagram.

A female under the age of 15 was interviewed, and video of the alleged incident was preserved via the Instagram account.

Police then interviewed Burns and then released. A warrant for his arrest was issued around noon Monday, and Burns told officers that he would turn himself in, but he did not, prompting officers to visit his home out of concern that he may have harmed himself.

Armed with a search warrant, officers began a search of his home at approximately 9:30 p.m. Upon entry into the residence, officers heard a single gunshot, then found Burns with a gunshot wound to the head.

He was treated on the scene, then transported to Augusta Health, where he died shortly after arrival.