US

Gunman kills security guard before being fatally shot at US psychiatric hospital

Authorities say all patients at the New Hampshire psychiatric hospital were safe

Police work at the scene of a shooting at New Hampshire Hospital. Photograph: Geoff Forester/The Concord Monitor via AP

Sat Nov 18 2023 - 15:24

A security guard has been gunned down in the US state of New Hampshire after an armed assailant entered the state’s only psychiatric hospital and opened fire.

Authorities confirmed security guard Bradley Haas, 63, was shot as he guarded the entrance to New Hampshire Hospital on Friday.

State Police Colonel Mark Hall said at a press conference that, despite receiving life-saving measures such as CPR, Hass later died at Concord Hospital.

The gunman walked into the reception area of the 185-bed hospital at around 3.30pm. It was in the reception area that Mr Haas was shot.

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The gunman was then shot and killed by a state trooper.

The name of the gunman has not yet been released, nor have officials revealed if they have uncovered any motive or detail behind the attack.

Authorities say all patients at the psychiatric hospital were safe, and the state trooper who killed the gunman was not wounded.

New Hampshire Democratic representative Annie Kuster labelled the shooting as “horrifying”.

“Thank you to the State Police Officers who responded to the scene so quickly,” Ms Kuster said in a statement. “My thoughts are with the victim, their family, and the Concord community.”

Other members of the state’s congressional delegation also released statements of support.

Governor Chris Sununu said in a statement: “The state immediately mobilised, and first responders and law enforcement are on the scene.” - AP

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