Pittsburgh Psychiatric Hospital Shooting Toll: 2 Dead
March 8, 2012— -- A gunman opened fire at a Pittsburgh psychiatric clinic, leaving to two people dead, including the gunman, and injuring seven others.
The gunman died while exchanging fire with police, although it was unknown whether he shot himself.
In the aftermath of the shootings at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, the facility remained an active scene as police were "methodically going through the building" to make sure sure every floor and room was secure.
Around 1:40 p.m., an unidentified shooter entered the clinic armed with two guns.
He proceeded to open fire on the first floor, wounding five staff members, according to Western Psychiatric's CEO, Claudia Roth. All of the wounded are expected to survive.
Gregory Brant, 53, told the Associated Press he was in a waiting room on the first floor when the shooter entered.
"We heard a bunch of yelling, some shooting, people yelling,`Hide! Hide!" he said. "Everyone's yelling, `Stay down!"'
The wounded were taken to the neighboring University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for treatment. Two had been released, while at least one person required immediate surgery, officials said at an evening press conference.
One of the wounded was a University of Pittsburgh police officer who was grazed in the leg.
Jeffrey Romoff, CEO of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, praised the "work, professionalism and prompt response" of first responders.
"[We are] deeply, deeply saddened by today's events," he said. "I want to express our deepest sympathies to the victims."
Immediately after the shooting, SWAT teams from Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, the Port Authority and state police rushed to the scene, bringing along bomb-sniffing dogs.
The 289 patients in the hospital will not be evacuated, Roth said, and care will continue as normal.
Several nearby buildings were on lockdown, including the elementary school at Carlow University, Central Catholic and the Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy.
The University of Pittsburgh, which is currently on spring break, issued a safety alert to remaining students and staff.
"An active shooter has been identified at Western Psychiatric Institute. Several injured; possible second actor in Western Psych. Lock-down recommended until further notice. If safe to do so, tell others of this message," the school wrote.
