Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Son arrested after elderly mother killed in shooting at US hospital

Victim identified as Pamela Ferriere, 70, after Travis Frank, 49, apprehended at scene following lockdown at Dartmouth-Hitchock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire 

Michael Casey
Wednesday 13 September 2017 10:23 BST
Comments
Police presence outside Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Police presence outside Dartmouth-Hitchcock (YouTube)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A patient has been shot to death inside an intensive care unit by her son, leading to a lockdown at New Hampshire's largest hospital, authorities said. No one else was injured.

Authorities said Travis Frank, 49, of Warwick, Rhode Island, was arrested and will be arraigned Wednesday on first-degree murder charges for the shooting shortly before 3pm at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon.

Attorney General Gordon MacDonald identified the victim as Frank's 70-year-old mother, Pamela Ferriere, of Groton, New Hampshire.

No possible motive for the shooting was released.

An active shooter alert was issued after police received a report of a shooting inside an ICU on the fourth floor of one of the buildings.

Rhode Island State Police said the suspect's car had Rhode Island plates so police in New Hampshire reached out to the state's Fusion Center, an information centre under the command of the state police that also involves representatives from local, state and federal agencies.

The centre helped identify the suspect as a Rhode Island resident, said Laura Meade Kirk, a state police spokeswoman.

John Kacavas, the medical centre's chief legal officer, thanked police and the attorney general's office for their response to a “tragic situation.”

People were told to avoid the area around the hospital, and traffic was stopped on a route leading to the medical centre.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Vermont State Police assisted New Hampshire and local police.

WCAX-TV reported that an employee said all workers received an email from the hospital about a “code silver,” telling them to get out if possible and otherwise to shelter in place. “Code silver” indicates that a violent situation is unfolding.

The state attorney general's office is investigating.

AP

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in