By Kelly O'Connell Reporter
News 3 On Your Side
Police are now confirming that three people have died from the shooting that took place Thursday afternoon at Doctors Hospital in Columbus.News 3 On Your Side
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Stumble It!One of the victims was a male registered nurse.
The other was a male administrative assistant.
There is not much information available now about the third victim.
News Three has been told the shooter, Charles Johnston, is in satisfactory condition at the Medical Center.
Johnston, 63, resides from Columbus.
Police say he was a retired school teacher, possibly from the Muscogee County School District.
Police say the shooting began on the 5th floor of the Doctors Hospital around 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
That’s where two people were shot.
It then moved to the parking lot, where one person was shot.
The shooter was approached by three law enforcement officers and shots were fired.
Officers shot at Johnston and he shot back.
None of the officers were hit or injured.
Johnston’s mother was treated here.
Police say she died in 2004 at Doctors Hospital of natural causes.
Columbus Police Chief Ricky Boren says there are no suspects on the loose; they have the alleged shooter in custody under guard at the Medical Center.
Once Johnston is released from the hospital, he will be taken to the Muscogee County Jail.
A spokesperson for Doctors Hospital tells News Three that there was one security office on duty at the time of the shooting today.
The hospital has increased that number to 3 for tonight.
The hospital says they will be looking into their safety procedures and polices but can not comment on any changes for the future.
News Three's Tim Reid got reaction from those who were closest to the scene soon after shots were fired at Doctors Hospital.
Many people were in shock after hearing gun shots and finding out three people were killed after a senseless act of violence.
A cardiac technician who works at the hospital knew two of the victims.
Maggie Simpson says her sister who also works at the hospital as a nurse was on the fifth floor when the fatal shots were fired.
Both sisters were not hurt, but Simpson tells news three the shooting was both Horrible and sad.
”It’s unreal. It doesn't make sense right now. Two of my good friends died here so I really don't feel like talking” Simpson said.
Her father Marcus Simpson says the
Shootings were terrible, but was glad both his daughters were okay.
“Very shocking, you hear about it all over the world but not here. All of a sudden your two daughters that work here at this hospital and something happens here at work. It’s very shocking and they may not even come back to work” Simpson said.
Many other people News Three spoke with were too distraught and shocked to talk about what they saw and heard.
The hospital is offering counseling to both patients and employees to cope with today's shooting.
The Pastoral Institute and the Bradley Center have offered to give their counseling services to those in need at the hospital.