A suspect is dead, and another person is injured after a shooting erupted at a Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in northwestern Georgia, authorities said on Tuesday, March 17.
Jasper Police Department officers responded to reports of shots fired at the Veterans Affairs clinic at around 1:30 p.m. local time, the city of Jasper, Georgia, said in astatement. When officers arrived at the scene, the city said they located and confronted the gunman, who was shot and killed.
One victim was also found at the scene and was transported for treatment before being airlifted to a hospital, according to the city. Their condition is unknown.
Jasper Police Chief Matt Dawkins said the suspect was from the Jasper area but did not provide further details. He added that officers were dispatched after receiving a report of shots fired at the clinic, and the suspect was shot outside.
"We do know that it happened, but we don't know what led up to it," Dawkinstold reporters at the scene. "It all happened real fast. But I do know everybody in there. As far as I know, nobody else is injured. The people that were inside, just one victim."
The investigation remains ongoing, authorities said, adding that more information will be released as it becomes available. Police have asked the public to avoid the area and "allow first responders to operate safely."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation will be investigating along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, according to Dawkins. The Pickens County Sheriff's Office said ina statementthat it is also assisting the Jasper Police Department in the investigation.
Jasper, a city with a population of over 5,000 people, is about 60 miles north of downtown Atlanta. The small city is located in Pickens County in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Victim in shooting identified as Veterans Affairs employee
In a statement to USA TODAY, VA Press Secretary Pete Kasperowicz said the victim shot at the Pickens County VA Clinic was an employee. The employee was "airlifted by helicopter for medical attention," according to Kasperowicz.
The clinic will remain closed for the rest of the week, and the VA's Office of Inspector General will assist local authorities in the investigation, he added.
"VA is rescheduling appointments as necessary and ensuring Veterans and staff have access to counseling and chaplain services in the wake of this tragic event," Kasperowicz said in the statement.
VA Secretary Doug Collins said he was praying for the victim in the shooting and all the Pickens County VA Clinic veterans and employees.
"The suspect is dead and the threat is eliminated. Very grateful for the quick response of local law enforcement," Collins said ina post on X. "We are sending a team from VA HQ to Georgia tomorrow to ensure clinic employees get the support they need."
The VA outpatient clinic in Jasper provides various services, including primary care, mental health care, laboratory services, and telehealth, according to itswebsite. The clinic opened in late August 2020, the VA said in anews releaseannouncing its opening.
"The new Pickens County VA Clinic will increase access and ensure that our Veterans continue to receive the high-quality health care that they have earned and deserve closer to their home,"Ann Brown, the former director of the Atlanta VA Health Care System, said in a statement at the time.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Georgia VA clinic shooting leaves employee injured; suspect dead
