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Baton Rouge pediatrician killed during hostage situation at Austin doctor's office

Austin hostage deaths.PNG
Posted at 11:37 AM, Jan 27, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-27 12:37:56-05

A woman who was killed Tuesday night during a hostage situation at her pediatric office in Austin has been identified by police as Dr. Katherine Lindley Dodson.

According to The Advocate, Dodson was a local pediatrician and Baton Rouge native who attended medical school at LSU in New Orleans.

The Austin Police Department says that Dodson, 43, was held hostage along with several others inside the doctor's office on January 26.

The suspect in the shooting, who was also found dead inside the doctor's office, was identified as Dr. Bharat Narumanchi.

Police say during the incident several hostages were able to escape and that others were allowed to leave except for Dr. Dodson.

From interviews conducted with hostages on scene, police say they learned that Dr. Narumanchi had been to the office a week prior to apply for a volunteer position. He also had reportedly been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Other than the prior visit, Dr. Narumanchi had no other connection or contact with Dr. Dodson, they said.

The hostages said that Dr. Narumanchi entered the office armed with a pistol, a shotgun and two duffel bags.

During the incident, hostage negotiators attempted to make contact with Narumanchi but were unsuccessful. The department says they made entry into the building and found Dr. Dodson and Dr. Narumanchi dead from apparent gunshot wounds.

Officers say it appears Dr. Narumanchi shot himself after shooting Dr. Dodson.

The case is currently under investigation.

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