Let’s hope that these shootings stop soon and that these incidents are not other people trying to copy the Connecticut shootings where 20 children were killed. It is hard to have faith in humanity as we approach the holiday season and these events are happening. Maybe we really are not going to make it to Christmas and December 21st really is the end of it all. With these things happening I would not be surprised if god just said enough!
The Birmingham Police Department reports that detectives are investigating an officer involved shooting. The incident occurred on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at St. Vincent’s Hospital located at 810 St. Vincent’s Drive, Birmingham, Alabama.
At approximately 4:00 a.m., officers from the South Precinct responded to the incident location to investigate a report of a person with a gun. Upon arrival, officers located the suspect on the 5th floor hallway. As officers approached, the suspect began firing a handgun at the officers, striking one officer and two members of the hospital staff. An assisting Birmingham Police officer returned gunfire fatally wounding the suspect. Due to the circumstances at the scene, the victims were transported to a neighboring hospital for treatment. The three victims’ injuries are not life threatening.
The suspect has been identified as:
Jason Letts, W/M, 38, of Jemison, Alabama. The suspect was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper states, “In light of the recent mass shooting in Connecticut, too many of these
incidents end with unimaginable tragedy. I am amazed at the bravery of our officers as they confronted this armed gunman in the hallway. I have absolutely no doubt that their courageous actions at that exact moment saved many lives. All of Birmingham should be proud and appreciative that these are the type of officers that protect our communities every day. The hospital staff and especially the security team should also be commended because they performed with selfless service which contained the incident until the officers’ arrival.”
Chief Roper also states, “The results of this incident could have been much worse. However; due to several professionals from different walks of life putting the well-being of the patients and staff before themselves we suffered no additional loss of life.”
The Alabama Bureau of Investigation (A.B.I.) is the lead agency investigating the officer involved shooting. The BPD Homicide Unit and Internal Affairs Division are also conducting investigations.
Birmingham police are saying that a gunman entered the St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham early Saturday morning.
We’ve been able to confirm that one police officer and two hospital employees were injured. Their injuries are said to be non-life threatening.
The gunman was killed by a Birmingham police officer. Officials have not released this person’s identity. The shooting took place on the fifth floor around 4am.
Local officials say the situation is under control.
From cbs42.com
