A security guard was shot and killed and another person injured when a gunman opened fire inside a hospital in Portland, Oregon, a shocking explosion of violence that also left the suspect dead after a fatal encounter with police at a traffic stop following the shooting.
It was just a normal Saturday morning at the Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital in Northwest Portland when around 11 a.m. shots were fired near the birthing unit on the 5th floor of the facility, leaving the security guard who was identified as Bobby Smallwood, fatally wounded, he would later succumb to his injuries after he was transferred to a Level 1 Trauma Center where lifesaving efforts were futile.
Police responded to the scene and a manhunt ensued after the suspect left the hospital which was placed on lockdown for several hours. Reports that the shooter had fled to a nearby Fred Meyer store at 100 Northwest 20th Place led to an evacuation and search of the retail outlet which failed to turn up the suspect.
(Video: YouTube/KPTV FOX 12 Oregon)
The suspect was later stopped by Police at Northeast 181st Avenue and Northeast Everett Court in Gresham where the threat was brought to an end after he was shot by officers with three our four gunshots reportedly fired during the traffic stop.
”The gunshots were incredibly loud,” said Brandon Loos, a resident who lives nearby, along 181st Avenue. “Two consecutive, then a pause and then one more.”
“The Special Emergency Reaction Team and the Crisis Negotiation Team, which had responded here to the hospital, then responded to the scene in Gresham. We also had Gresham police, and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office responding to that scene,” Portland Police Bureau Sgt. Kevin Allen said. “During that encounter shots were fired by the police, and the suspect is deceased.”
“The investigation into the confrontation involving the hospital shooting suspect continues at Northeast 181st Avenue and Northeast Everett Court in Gresham. The investigation into the officer involved shooting is being led by the East County Major Crimes Team,” the PPB said in a statement. “Three Portland Police officers used deadly force in this incident. Per Bureau policy, the identity of Bureau members involved shall be released within 15 days, absent a credible security threat. No other police agencies were involved in the use of deadly force.”
“This is an incomprehensible tragedy and I send my heartfelt condolences to those impacted. This highly volatile situation required substantial resources and coordination to address. I am incredibly grateful to @PortlandPolice for their fast response to protect our community,” Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said on Twitter.
This is an incomprehensible tragedy and I send my heartfelt condolences to those impacted. This highly volatile situation required substantial resources and coordination to address. I am incredibly grateful to @PortlandPolice for their fast response to protect our community. https://t.co/NQqIAI2Q0D
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) July 23, 2023
“Bobby Smallwood, one of our dedicated safety and security officers, was tragically shot and killed while protecting our patients and employees. Another staff member was injured in the shooting and is in stable condition. It’s important to know that the suspect is no longer a threat, and no patients were physically injured in the incident,” Legacy Health said in a statement.
“Words cannot express the profound grief we are experiencing,” said president and CEO Kathryn Correia. “We offer our unwavering support to Bobby’s loved ones, to our patients in our care, to the staff at Legacy Good Samaritan and to all of our employees and providers suffering today.”
The shooter’s motive currently remains unclear.
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