Violence Prevention in Healthcare Fatality File

Pediatrician shot and killed at medical office in Austin 

In the latest incidence of workplace violence within the healthcare industry, a 43-year-old female doctor was shot and killed by another physician at Children’s Medical Group in Austin, Texas on Tuesday afternoon.

Pediatrician Dr. Katherine Lindley Dodson, 43, died from a gunshot wound that Austin police believe was inflicted by Dr. Bharat Narumanchi, 43. Narumanchi died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the police report. No motive was given for the attack.

When Austin Police SWAT officers made entry to the medical office building, they found the bodies of Drs. Dodson and Narumanchi inside.

Narumanchi did not work at Children’s Medical Group but had been there a week earlier to apply for a volunteer position that he reportedly did not get. He was a pediatrician who had been recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, according to the police report. 

Other than the visit to the office the week before, there did not appear to be any relation or other contact between Dr. Dodson and Dr. Narumanchi, police said.  

In the 911 call, Austin police received a report that a male subject had entered the medical building with a gun and was holding hostages inside. As the incident began to unfold, it was learned that several hostages were being held. Several hostages initially escaped, and others were later allowed to leave with the exception of Dr. Dodson. 

Hostages told officers that Narumanchi was armed with a pistol and what appeared to be a shotgun and had two duffel bags.   

Hostage negotiators arrived on scene and attempted to make contact with Dr. Narumanchi, to no avail, police said. After several attempts, it was decided to make entry into the building. It appeared that Dr. Narumanchi shot himself after shooting Dr. Dodson.