People who knew Bharat Narumanchi, the doctor who, according to police, fatally shot an Austin pediatrician before allegedly turning the gun on himself, said they believe the terminally ill man returned to Texas city to to be close to his family after learning of the grim diagnosis. according to recent reports.
The 43-year-old Narumanchi, left Santa Ana, California, and his job at Paramount Care Medical Group and moved closer to the family in Austin about six months ago, after learning he had terminal cancer, the former colleague dr. H. Joseph Khan told USA Today. Network.
“The main reason he left is that he was suffering from this disease and that he wanted to be close to his family,” Khan apparently said, adding later: “And he said when he got better, he would come back.”
A Narumanchi family spokesman on Friday did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment.
Bharat Narumanchi (handout)
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The representative said Thursday that the family is unlikely to speak in public as a statement was shared the previous evening.
“We, the parents of Dr. Bharat Kumar Narumanchi, would like to express our sincere condolences and heartfelt prayers to the family, friends and colleagues of Dr. Lindley Dodson,” the parents’ statement read in part. “We share your grief over a life that is so meaninglessly cut short. We do not understand our son’s motives or actions, but we feel that this time should be best spent on Dr. Dodson and her contributions to this world. . “
In an interview with USA Today Network, Khan said Narumanchi worked at the California medical office for less than a year.
He added that he was “very, very shocked” about Tuesday’s news and said Narumanchi “does not look like a serial killer.”
“I read on the internet that he had a gun. I think he is not that type,” Khan continued. “I do not think he will hurt anyone. I’ll feel safe talking to him. ‘
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Investigators from the Austin Police Department (APD) are still working to determine why Narumanchi Dodson’s pediatrician Dodson, the Children’s Group’s group, was late Tuesday afternoon when he walked into the West 35 Street Office and took people hostage.
Four of the hostages – all of whom were adult employees – were able to escape, either by escaping or being released by Narumanchi, police said Wednesday. Dodson could not escape.
Narumanchi had applied for a voluntary position at the firm just a week earlier – and had been turned down.
Police said he encountered Dodson and other doctors during the previous visit, though police do not yet know why he targeted Dodson.
AUSTIN STANDOFF SUSPECT IS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH TERMINAL CANCER, HAS ‘WEEKS TO LIVE’, SIVE POLICE
Dr. Katherine Lindley Dodson is survived by her husband and three children. (Nick Higman)
(Nick Higman)
Narumanchi was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer and ‘only’ got weeks to live ‘, said Lieutenant Jeff Greenwalt, Austin police.
“We feel that his terminal cancer probably played a big role in whatever happened in his life and what happened yesterday,” Greenwalt said. “We do not know exactly why he chose to undertake these actions or target this particular enterprise. Therefore, we ask if anyone is friends with Dr. Dodson or Dr. Narumanchi, and know why he might have wanted to come here to a particular enterprise. or know what’s going on in his life … Please call the Austin Police Department tip line. ‘
Dodson’s family said in a statement Wednesday that they were “devastated outside by the tragic, sudden and senseless loss of our beloved Lindley.”
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“As a dedicated mother, wife, daughter, friend and pediatrician, she radiated light, love and joy in everything she did and with everyone she touched. She developed immediate relationships with her patients and had the unique ability to make you feel like the only person in the room, “her family said.” We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and concern, but because of the ongoing nature of this investigation and our request for privacy during this terrible time, we will not comment further. “
If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Fox Best, Paul Best, contributed to this report.