Dive Brief:
- A urologist was shot and killed last Thursday around 2 p.m. in one of Louisiana-based East Jefferson General Hospital's medical offices.
- Dr. Elbert Goodier, 75, was killed by a single gunshot to the head while in his office with a patient and soon thereafter deputies began looking for the suspect who had been described as an "elderly, white-haired man," The Times-Picayune reports.
- Deputies approached a man that matched the description, who was then identified as one of Goodier's longtime patients, John Thomas, 73, at a Wendy's restaurant near EJGH. Thomas then fatally shot himself in the head.
Dive Insight:
According to Becker's Hospital Review, authorities did not believe Thomas had motive though his family members said he had been experiencing mental health issues. Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office's Spokesman Col. John Fortunato told Becker's that Thomas did not have prior criminal history.
The Advocate reports, however, Col. Fortunato said Thomas' decision to shoot Goodier was a result of a recent medical diagnosis but he was unable to provide any further details due to medical privacy laws.
"This is a tragic loss for EJGH and our entire community," EJGH President and CEO Mark Peters said in a prepared statement issued on the same day of the incident.
"Dr. Goodier was respected and beloved by all who had the privilege of knowing him," Peters added. "Our hearts and sympathies go out to his family, his friends, his staff and all who knew him."