A security guard was killed and a second person was wounded Saturday morning when a gunman opened fire inside a hospital in Portland, Oregon, authorities said. Following a manhunt, the suspect was later shot and killed by police during a traffic stop.
Portland Police Bureau Sgt. Kevin Allen told reporters that the shooting happened around 11 a.m. Pacific time at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Northwest Portland.
A security guard, identified as Bobby Smallwood, was rushed to a trauma center with gunshot wounds but later died of his injuries, both police and a hospital confirmed Saturday evening.
A hospital employee who was injured in the shooting is in stable condition, the hospital said.
According to police, none of the patients were injured.
Following the shooting, responding officers locked down the hospital and began “fanning the neighborhood” to search for the suspect, Allen said.
A nearby Fred Meyer grocery store was evacuated and searched, but the suspect was not inside, he revealed.
The suspect was later found and pulled over by officers from several law enforcement agencies while driving in Gresham, a town about 15 miles east of Portland, about 15 miles from the hospital, police said.
During that traffic stop, the officer opened fire on the suspect, who died at the scene, police said. He was not immediately identified. None of the officers were injured. Police have not confirmed if the suspect was armed when he was found or if he opened fire on police.
There was no word on a possible motive for the shooting at the hospital, and no details were provided about the circumstances leading up to it.
A shelter-in-place was in effect for the hospital, and all visitors, patients and staff were asked to stay away while the suspect was searched. The shelter at that location was removed.
Good Samaritan Medical Center is part of the Traditional Health System.
“Words cannot express the deep sadness we feel,” Legacy Health President and CEO Kathryn Correa said in a statement. “We extend our unwavering support to Bobby’s loved ones, the patients in our care, the staff at Legacy Good Samaritan and all of our staff and providers affected today.”
