Suspect dead after shooting at hospital in downtown Portland
Police in Oregon have reported that a suspect is dead after opening fire in a hospital in downtown Portland on Saturday. The shooting resulted in the death of one person and left another injured.
According to authorities, the suspect fled Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center after the shooting but was later stopped in a vehicle by police in Gresham, just east of Portland. The suspect was shot and killed after officers opened fire, as stated in a news release from the Portland police.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. local time when police responded to reports of a person with a gun inside the hospital. Sergeant Kevin Allen provided details during a Saturday afternoon news conference, stating that a witness informed officers that the suspected shooter had already left the hospital by the time they arrived.
The deceased victim has been identified as Bobby Smallwood, a security guard at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center, according to both the police and a news release from the hospital. Another staff member, who remains unnamed, was injured but is currently in stable condition. Fortunately, no patients were harmed during the shooting.
As part of an intensive search for the suspect, a nearby Fred Meyer grocery store was evacuated and searched by the police. Eventually, officers located the suspect and stopped the vehicle he was in, leading to shots being fired by the police. The suspect was pronounced dead, and no officers were injured during the incident.
A statement released by the Portland police on Saturday night revealed that three officers used deadly force in the incident. Their identities will be made public within 15 days, following bureau policy, unless there are any security threats.
The hospital was placed on lockdown after the shooting but lifted its shelter-in-place directive at around 4:15 p.m. local time, according to a release. The suspect has not been named, and the police have not provided any information regarding a possible motive for the shooting.
Kathryn Correia, the president and CEO of Legacy Health, expressed deep grief in a release from the hospital, stating, “Words cannot express the profound grief we are experiencing.” She offered support to Smallwood’s loved ones, the patients, and the staff at Legacy Good Samaritan, as well as all the employees and providers affected by the incident.
The Portland Police Homicide Unit, along with detectives from other units and the Forensic Evidence Division, are currently investigating the scene, according to the police.
What measures are being taken to investigate the motive behind the shooting and identify the suspect involved in the incident?
The suspect entered the hospital and began shooting. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while another victim was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
After the shooting, the suspect quickly fled the scene. However, law enforcement agencies were able to locate and track down the suspect’s vehicle in Gresham, a suburb east of Portland. When the suspect refused to comply with officers’ commands, shots were fired, resulting in the suspect’s death.
The motive behind the shooting is still under investigation, and authorities have not released any information about the suspect’s identity or possible connection to the victims. The hospital was placed on lockdown following the incident, but it has since resumed normal operations.
Local officials and law enforcement agencies have expressed their condolences to the victims and their families. They are urging anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward and assist in the investigation.
This shooting in downtown Portland adds to the growing concern over gun violence in the United States. It serves as a reminder of the need to address the underlying issues contributing to these acts of violence and to find ways to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.
This senseless act of violence is truly heartbreaking. Sending thoughts and prayers to the victims’ families and all those affected by this tragedy.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder that no place is immune to senseless violence. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families affected by this heartbreaking event. May we come together as a community to find ways to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.