2 employees were killed in a Dallas hospital shooting

By Sonya Hamasaki, CNN

Two employees were killed Saturday morning in a shooting at a Dallas hospital, the local health system said.

Authorities responded to the Methodist Dallas Medical Center at roughly 11 a.m. local time on Saturday, according to a statement from the Methodist Health System.

“The preliminary investigation determined a suspect shot and killed two hospital employees,” the statement said.

An officer who arrived on scene confronted and shot the suspect, injuring him, according to the health system. The suspect was taken into custody, stabilized and taken to another hospital, the statement added.

Methodist Health System Police arrested 30-year-old Nestor Hernandez for capital murder, according to a statement from the Dallas Police Department.

Hernandez is out on parole for aggravated robbery and had “an active ankle monitor,” Dallas police said.

Hernandez was released in October 2021 and had permission to be at the facility while his significant other gave birth, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

“The Methodist Health System Family is heartbroken at the loss of two of our beloved team members. Our entire organization is grieving this unimaginable tragedy,” the statement from the health system’s executive leaders said. “Our prayers are with our lost co-workers and their families, as well as our entire Methodist family. We appreciate the community’s support during this difficult time.”

The shooting took place inside the “mother/baby” unit, according to a statement from Methodist Health System.

As a result, and “out of an abundance of caution,” police staffing is increased at the hospital campus, “including for mothers and babies,” the statement said. Methodist recently installed new camera systems, bolstered physical security measures and held ongoing active-shooting training for employees.

The medical center is now safe and there are no ongoing threats, the leadership added.

Authorities are conducting an ongoing investigation, the health system said.

Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said on Twitter he was “outraged along with our community, at the lack of accountability, and the travesty of the fact that under this broke system, we give violent criminals more chances, than our victims.”

“The pendulum has swung too far,” the chief added.

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