Inova Fairfax Hospital

Police Say No Public Threat After Shooting at Inova Fairfax Hospital

Police say there is no threat to the public after a shooting incident Tuesday night at Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Police responded to the hospital shortly before 8:50 p.m. for the report of a patient who had a gun on the fourth floor of the hospital's Heart and Vascular Institute, according to Fairfax County Police.

The patient, a 64-year-old Ashburn man, shot himself before officers arrived, police said. Police found the man alone in his hospital room. They said he was conscious and breathing as officers attempted to get him to surrender his weapon.

Officers were able to safely enter his room after about an hour, police said. The man was taken to the hospital's trauma center, where he died a short time later.

No one else was injured.

Inova released the following statment:

"At 8:50 pm, January 22, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus called a Code Silver, which indicates a weapon on campus, placing the facility on lockdown. Fairfax County and Virginia State Police responded to assist. The patient suffered a self-inflicted wound and later succumbed to those injuries. At this time all hospital operations have returned to normal. We appreciate the swift action of our clinical teams, Inova Security and law enforcement personnel.

"The safety of our patients and team members is always our first priority. Inova prohibits the carrying of weapons on property, with the exception of law enforcement officers or properly licensed Inova security officers. Signage detailing the prohibition of weapons is posted at the main entrances to Inova hospital facilities. For questions about the investigation, please contact Fairfax County Police Department."

If you or someone you know needs help, please call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741.

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