Ben Taub Hospital shooting leaves 2 dead

Law enforcement officers stand outside Ben Taub General Hospital following a shooting in the outpatient pharmacy on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014, in Houston. Two employees at the pharmacy at Ben Taub are dead after an apparent murder-suicide, officials said. Witnesses said a man shot a woman, then turned the gun on himself, said Houston Police Department spokesman John Cannon. They were pronounced dead a short time later. less Law enforcement officers stand outside Ben Taub General Hospital following a shooting in the outpatient pharmacy on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014, in Houston. Two employees at the pharmacy at Ben Taub are dead after ... more Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Ben Taub Hospital shooting leaves 2 dead 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

A pharmacist and pharmacy tech at Ben Taub General Hospital are dead after an apparent murder-suicide, officials said.

Witnesses said a man shot a woman, then turned the gun on himself at about 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Houston Police Department spokesman John Cannon said. They were pronounced dead a short time later.

The double shooting happened in the glassed-in work area at the pharmacy. There was no outburst before the shooting, officers said.

It appears the woman was at her workstation when the man walked up behind her and opened fire, police said after viewing security video.

Although the investigation was continuing, HPD homicide detectives suspect the man had made recent romantic overtures to the woman.

A few pharmacy employees, possibly seven, were also in the building when the two were shot.

Customers were in the area, but no one else was wounded.

The pharmacy was not in the main part of the hospital. It is in an attached building, accessible through a walkway.

The incident had no impact on hospital operations, Cannon said.

Late Wednesday afternoon, George V. Masi, president and CEO of the Harris Health System, issued the following statement on behalf of the hospital:

"We are all greatly saddened by a tragedy that occurred earlier today on the Ben Taub campus.

"An active shooter incident in the Ben Taub Outpatient Pharmacy resulted in what appears to have been a murder suicide.

"A full investigation by the Houston Police Department indicates there are no additional suspects beyond the perpetrator of the shooting.

"The Ben Taub campus is now safe and secure, and the hospital and clinics are open. The outpatient pharmacy remains closed until further notice.

"At this most difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two staff who lost their lives as a result of this senseless violence, as well as to every Harris Health System employee and the members of our medical staff."