The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is looking into the purchase of a handgun that authorities said the wife of a former Chattanooga pastor used to take her own life in the parking lot of a gun shop in Dallas last Saturday afternoon.
Authorities have ruled the death of Harriet Deison, 65, of Dallas, a suicide.
Her husband, Pete Deison, was a longtime assistant pastor to Ben Haden at First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga. He is now at Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas.
The Dallas Morning News said the ATF will look into the purchase from the McClelland Gun Shop.
Ms. Deison was found dead in her Lexus sedan after witnesses said they heard two shots and saw smoke coming from the car around 2:15 p.m. Police have concluded that Ms. Deison shot herself with the weapon she just bought.
In Texas there is no waiting period on a gun sale, but a customer has to fill out a form, pass a background check and show ID.
Gun shop owners are urged not to sell weapons to customers who appear to be under duress.
Harriet Jane Schoellkopf Deison was originally from Dallas.
A master gardener, she was the mother of two daughters and had eight grandchildren.
The funeral service is today at 4 p.m. at Park Cities Presbyterian in Dallas.