Police are interviewing neighbors of a California man in an attempt to learn why he shot and killed a urologist and wounded 2 other people at a Reno, Nevada, hospital Tuesday before killing himself, according to media reports.
No motive was immediately apparent for the shootings and it isn"t known whether the suspect, identified by police and neighbors near Lake Almanor, California, as Alan Frazier, 51, knew any of the victims, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal.
The suspect entered the Center for Advanced Medicine at Renown Regional Medical Center at about 2:45 p.m. local time, walked into the patient exam area of Urology Nevada with a 12-gauge shotgun, and fired 5 rounds, Reno Police Deputy Chief Mac Venzon said at a news conference Tuesday.
The suspect shot and killed Dr. Charles Garo Gholdoian, 46, a urologist, police said. One of his partners, Dr. Christine Lajeunesse, also was shot and remained in critical condition Thursday. Shawntae Spears, 20, who was accompanying a family member to a doctor"s appointment, also was wounded in the shooting.
Victims were rushed to an emergency department in the Renown Regional Medical Center campus after the shooting. Witnesses said the gunman warned patients and their children in a waiting area to "get out," the Associated Press reported. Renown is the largest hospital in northern Nevada and home to the region"s only trauma center.
"Unfortunately our community has experienced yet another tragedy," Renown Regional Medical Center CEO Kris Gaw said Wednesday. "This is something that has hit our medical community, not just Renown. It happened on our own doorstep."
"Urology Nevada is shocked and saddened by the events that occurred," the practice said in a written statement. "At this time we have no information as to why these terrible events occurred, and we are cooperating with the authorities in every way possible to learn more."
Detectives have not been able to establish a motive or relationship between the gunman and the victims. Investigators carried out a search warrant at his home in Lake Almanor, California, a small community about 130 miles north of Reno.
Plumas County Sheriff Greg Hagwood told reporters the man was a long-time resident of the community and lived alone.
Police said the gunman apparently calmly entered the building, went up to the third floor and began shooting in the examination room area.
"The fact the shooter went through the first and second floor, made his way to the third floor of the building, would indicate to me it is not a random event," Reno Deputy Police Chief Mac Venzon said.
Police say there were about 100 people in the office building when authorities were alerted at 2:05 p.m.
Tuesday about an "active shooter."
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