Suspicious Suicide by Newly Elected Black Mayor in White Town

Why would a newly elected black mayor in a predominantly white town commit suicide just days before taking office:

In the weeks before he was to have assumed office as the first black mayor in a largely white Louisiana town, Gerald Washington received several pieces of hate mail. But family members said he never expressed any fears for his safety and was looking forward to Tuesday, his first day on the job.

And since when does someone commit suicide by shooting themselves in the chest? And especially when Mr.Washington was looking forward to taking office; and there is no indication that he was depressed. Is there a cover up going on?:

There was no suicide note, the son said. Moreover, his father was right-handed, but the gun was found on the left side of his body and his left hand was bloodied, according to crime scene photographs Washington said he was shown at the sheriff's office.

Even more perplexing, the son said, sheriff's deputies drove his father's truck back to the family's home just two hours after the body was found by a passerby.

"If a vehicle is on the scene of a murder, shouldn't that be towed away for investigation?" Washington said.

But Calcasieu Parish sheriff's officials stood by their suicide conclusion Tuesday.