An elderly man opened fire on a clinic in Buffalo, Minnesota, on Tuesday after he was unhappy with the treatment he received, killing one person and injuring four others before being arrested by police, according to media reports. and authorities in this northern US state.
Shortly before 11:00 (19:00 Cyprus time), the police were notified that a gunman broke into the Allina Health clinic and opened fire on those present. Footage broadcast by local TV stations shows many broken windows.
Gregory Julrich, 67, known to police, carried out the attack because he was "unhappy for several years with the care he was offered" at the Alaina Clinic, Buffalo Police Chief Pat Badki said in an interview. Press.
Mr Badki emphasized that there had been no indication that he would go from words to deeds. The police officers conducting the investigation consider that "he specifically targeted the clinic or a person who worked in it", he added. Five injured people were taken to other hospitals in the area, said Kelly Sprat, a health official at the city. One of the victims succumbed, three others are being treated in serious but stable condition, while a fifth victim was released from the hospital, media reported.
According to Pat Badki, "there may have been an explosion" before the man opened fire. When the police radio that intervened, referred to by the Star Tribune newspaper, the suspect said that he placed bombs in the hospital before being delivered.
A suspicious package was found at the entrance of the clinic and improvised explosive devices were found in a motel where the suspect was staying, near the institution, according to law enforcement forces.
Tiffany, an eyewitness, said she was going to park to leave her mother at the clinic when she saw two nurses running to her car.
"They came in and told me they heard about eleven shots in a minute," he explained. "They did not see the gunman, but they assumed it was a pistol and two minutes later we saw the windows of the facade explode and we left."
According to the police, the man, who allegedly became addicted to painkillers, acted alone and the case is not considered to be an act of domestic terrorism.