Son who shot GP with a crossbow over dad’s death

Attacker said ‘I’m going to kill you’ in surgery raid

A MAN who shot his GP with a crossbow after blaming him for his father’s death has been found guilty of attempted murder.

Mark Waterfall, 46, fired the metal-tipped bolt into Dr Gary Griffith’s stomach after bursting into his consultation room.

Before pulling the trigger, he told the GP: “You killed my father and I am going to kill you.”

Five days earlier, Waterfall’s father Terrence died in hospital following a visit to Dr Griffith.

At St Albans crown court, Herts, judge Stephen Warner told Waterfall: “You have been convicted of the very serious offence of attempted murder and it’s inevitable you will receive a significant custodial sentence.”

Dr Griffith had told the court: “He stepped into the room and was pointing something at me… It was a loaded crossbow.

“He had been my patient for 10 years. I recognised him immediately. He just seemed furious. His fist was clenched, it was like his whole body was clenched.”

The GP survived the attack as the bolt had to pass through layers of clothing because he was hot and had untucked his shirt.

Terrence Waterfall, 76, had visited the Suthergrey House Medical Centre, in Watford, Herts, in July last year.

Dr Griffith realised the dementia sufferer had fluid in his right lung and arranged for him to be admitted to hospital. He died there a day later after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

Waterfall, who lived with his parents in South Oxhey, Herts, believed medics failed his dad.

He admitted wounding Dr Griffith with intent but denied attempted murder. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.