Physician shot and killed by patient at Louisiana hospital

Elbert Goodier III, MD, a well-known urologist, was shot and killed Thursday afternoon at the medical offices inside East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, La.

Dr. Goodier, 75, was talking with a patient in his second-floor office about 2 p.m. Thursday, when the gunman walked in and fired, according to CNN. Dr. Goodier died from a single gunshot wound to the head, according to authorities.

Immediately after the shooting deputies began searching for the suspect, who was initially identified only as an "elderly, white-haired man," according to The Times-Picayune.

A man matching the description was seen by deputies walking into a nearby Wendy's restaurant. As deputies approached him, the man put the gun to his head and fired, killing himself.

The gunman has been identified as 73-year-old John Thomas, who the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office said was a patient of Dr. Goodier, according to CNN.

Police said there is no motive in the case. Mr. Thomas has no prior criminal history, according to Jefferson Parish Col. John Fortunato, but he did suffer from mental illness, according to family members.

Dr. Goodier graduated from LSU School of Medicine in 1967, and worked at Charity Hospital and Ochsner Medical Center, both in New Orleans, before joining the staff at East Jefferson General Hospital.

East Jefferson General Hospital President and CEO Mark Peters, MD, said Dr. Goodier was "highly respected and a "true gentleman," according to The Times-Picayune. In a Facebook posting, Dr. Peters wrote the killing was a tragic loss and Dr. Goodier was "beloved by all who had the privilege of knowing him."

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