Police: Hospital gunman fired many shots, killed himself

Associated Press

CINCINNATI

A man carrying two handguns who tried to storm into an Ohio hospital’s psychiatric emergency room shot and wounded a security officer, fired at a police officer and then fatally shot himself, police said Thursday.

Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac identified the gunman in the Wednesday afternoon shooting as Isaiah Currie, 20, of Cincinnati.

Some of the drama that unfolded at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center complex was captured on surveillance video and 911 recordings.

“We have a shooter here. ... I’m hiding under a desk. Hurry!” a psychiatric services employee reported during a 911 call.

Isaac said police had not yet determined Currie’s motive but said he had a criminal record, including drug charges, resisting arrest, assault on a corrections officer and an earlier assault on a UC Health security officer.

Isaac gave this account:

Shortly after entering the building Wednesday, Currie struggled with the security guard and fired shots. The guard then ran out of the building. Currie followed him. Video shows the man identified as Currie striding outside before apparently spotting the security officer and then running after him, firing more shots. The officer received two gunshot wounds to the torso.

Currie returned inside the hospital. He had left his car keys, and he returned to the emergency room lobby to retrieve them, walking at a steady pace and still holding a gun in each hand.

A Cincinnati police officer on security duty at a nearby medical building rushed into the emergency psychiatric services wing, drawing a gunshot from Currie. The shot missed. After ducking and retreating, the officer, Bob Nelson, regrouped with other officers outside and moved in on Currie.

Currie killed himself with a single gunshot.

Isaac said Nelson’s actions “and the action of the other responding officers was nothing less than heroic, along with the actions of the security officer.”

He also praised the UC Health staff, which locked down the emergency room before Currie returned.

“He was not able to penetrate,” Isaac said.