NRI Pulse Staff Report
Atlanta, GA, January 27, 2021: A terminally ill Indian American doctor shot and killed a pediatrician during a six-hour-long standoff before turning the gun on himself, Austin police said Tuesday.
“On Tuesday, January 26, 2021, Austin 911 received a Gun Hot
Shot call at 1912 W. 35th Street. The caller reported that a male
subject entered their place of business, a doctor’s office, with a gun and was
holding hostages inside,” said a press release issued by the Austin PD.
As the incident began to unfold, it was learned
that several hostages were in fact being held inside the business. Several
hostages initially escaped and others were later allowed to leave with the exception
of Dr. Katherine Dodson.
Officers conducted interviews with the hostages on
scene and were able to identify the suspect as Dr. Bharat Narumanchi. Officers
also learned that Dr. Narumanchi had been to this office a week ago and applied
for a volunteer position. Dr. Narumanchi was a pediatrician who was recently
diagnosed with terminal cancer. Hostages reported to officers that he was armed
with a pistol and what appeared to be a shotgun and had two duffel bags. Other
than the previously mentioned visit to this office there did not appear to be
any relation or other contact between Dr. Dodson and Dr. Narumanchi.
Hostage negotiators arrived on scene and attempted
to make contact with Dr. Narumanchi, to no avail. After several attempts, it
was decided to make entry into the building. Austin Police SWAT officers made
entry and located both Dr. Dodson and Dr. Narumanchi deceased inside the
building from apparent gunshot wounds.
Homicide investigators were called out to
investigate and process the scene. It appeared that Dr. Narumanchi shot himself
after shooting Dr. Dodson.
The case is still under investigation. The Travis
County Medical Examiner will be conducting an autopsy to determine the official
cause and manner of death.
FOLLOW NRI PULSE ON INSTAGRAM FOR NEWS IN PICTURES
