One person was shot at Brigham and Women’s Hospital Tuesday morning in the hospital’s Carl J. and Ruth Shapiro Cardiovascular Center, according to a BWH statement. The suspect was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and the building, which was in a brief lockdown, was cleared.
The victim, a doctor at Brigham and Women’s, was shot twice and sustained life-threatening injuries, said Boston Police Commissioner William Evans at a press conference. The incident occurred shortly after 11 a.m., and the hospital returned to normal operations later Tuesday afternoon, according to tweets from the Boston Police Department and BWH.
The suspect was found in an exam room with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Evans said. Police found a gun beside the suspect.
During the press conference, Evans praised the efforts of hospital staff in responding to the incident.
“Within the last year, we’ve done several trainings here on this very scenario, an active shooter scenario. When we came up to this hospital, everyone was doing exactly what we trained for,” Evans said. “That’s why we do this training, and I have to commend their response.”
BWH President Betsy Nabel posted a message on the hospital’s Facebook page Tuesday afternoon.
“As you know, there was an active shooter event this morning in Shapiro,” she said. “I want to reassure you that the hospital is now safe and secure.”
UPDATE 7:33 p.m:
In a release, BPD identified the suspect as Stephen Pasceri, 55, of Millbury. BWH said in a tweet that the the victim, whose family has requested that they remain anonymous, was in surgery as of 4:34 p.m. The Boston Globe, citing a law enforcement official briefed on the situation, identified the victim as 44-year-old Michael Davidson, who has been a cardiovascular surgeon at BWH since 2006.
UPDATE 10:45 p.m.: Davidson has died as a result of his injuries, according to a press release from BWH.
UPDATE Wednesday 12:01 a.m.: Boston Mayor Martin Walsh issued a statement in regards to the shooting.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Michael Davidson,” Walsh said. “This tragedy is the result of a senseless act of violence that has no place in our City. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his colleagues at Brigham and Women’s Hospital during this difficult time.”
