2 days ago
Two men, including suspect, die after officer-involved shooting at Enid hospital Sunday
Two people are dead after a shooting involving police officers at a hospital in Enid, about 100 miles northwest of Oklahoma City.
Shortly before 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, officers with the Enid Police Department responded to a domestic issue at a residence near E. Walnut Avenue and N. 12th Street in Enid. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, now the lead agency on the case, said that police had identified an adult male suspect who had come to Integris Health Hospital, where officers said they'd found the suspect's vehicle.
"When they tried to make contact with the suspect outside of the hospital doors, the suspect fired at the officers and then he made his way inside," Hunter McKee, a spokesman for the OSBI, said Monday, Aug. 18.
McKee said that the man fired multiple shots while inside the hospital. A hospital security guard, J.W. Bode, 72, was hit and later died from his injuries, according to a statement by INTEGRIS Health Enid Hospital.
"J.W. was our colleague and friend," the hospital wrote on social media. "He had worked at INTEGRIS Health Enid Hospital for five years and dedicated most of his professional life to service and safety. He was the proud father of three adult children and a doting grandfather. Our deepest condolences go out to his family."
Bode was shot as he approached the suspect, according to hospital officials. Enid police entered the building and fatally shot the gunman, the OSBI said.
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"None of the officers were hurt, none of the patients, fortunately, were hurt, and none of the medical staff was hurt," McKee added.
Enid police officers involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave, and the identity of the gunman should be released pending next-of-kin notification, McKee said. The hospital remained open on Monday.
"We are profoundly grateful to local and state law enforcement agencies for their swift and courageous response in resecuring the hospital and protecting our patients, caregivers and community," INTEGRIS Health Enid Hospital said in a statement. "We are especially thankful for the quick and selfless actions of Officer J.W. Bode, who valiantly put himself in harm's way to save others. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten."
In its news release, the OSBI also thanked the Enid, Lahoma and Waukomis police departments; the Garfield County Sheriff's Office; the Oklahoma Highway Patrol; and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control for their assistance with the ongoing investigation.
The deadly incident followed another shooting that left two people dead and two people critically injured early Saturday, Aug. 16, in Fairview, about 40 miles southwest of Enid. OSBI is also the lead agency in that investigation.
This story has been updated to add new information.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma hospital shooting: Two dead in altercation in Enid on Sunday
