The suspect in Huntsville’s first homicide of 2020 is believed to be in Birmingham, authorities said.

Because authorities believe the deadly shooting suspect might be traveling to a veteran’s affairs clinic, the VA Medical Center and Clinic in Birmingham were on lockdown and canceled appointments Thursday afternoon. Patients and their families were eventually allowed to leave the VA clinic on 24th Street at Seventh Avenue South Thursday evening. Precautions are still underway at the medical center on 19th Street and at the clinic, said spokesman Jeff Hester.

Patients, their caregivers and “non-essential” employees were allowed to leave the facilities. The hospital remained on diversion - or not receiving new patients - Thursday night. Hester said no decision has yet been made about Friday appointments but said updates will be posted on the Birmingham VA Medical Center Facebook page.

"The safety of our Veteran patients, guests and staff is our number one priority,'' said Birmingham VA Health Care System Director Stacy Vasquez. “The steps taken were to ensure we protect those in our care.”

The VA is letting patients and their families leave now. Employees will be released. VA and UAB police remain on scene pic.twitter.com/FUzifGhSN6 — carol robinson (@RobinsonCarol) January 9, 2020

Huntsville police identified the slaying suspect as 46-year-old Cornett Demetric Evans. He’s wanted on a warrant charging him with murder, said Huntsville police Lt. Michael Johnson. Evans may be armed and suicidal, the authorities said. Evans is described as about 5 feet 11 inches tall and 193 pounds. He may be driving a gold Jeep Patriot with Alabama tag YAN258.

The shooting happened around 11:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Sunlake at Edgewater Apartments off Zierdt Road in Huntsville. A woman died after being taken to Huntsville Hospital in critical condition. Her name hasn’t yet been released.

Police are publicly encouraging the suspect to surrender.

HPD is looking for a person of interest involving an 11:30am shooting from Lakefront Rd. The victim is in critical condition. 46 yr old Cornett Demetric Evans is sought for questioning in this case. If you have any information please call HPD 256-722-7100. pic.twitter.com/9VBA2HLjqi — Huntsville Police (@HsvPolice) January 9, 2020

“Huntsville police just want a safe and quick resolution,” Lt. Michael Johnson said earlier Thursday.

Shortly after the shooting, officers unsuccessfully searched for the suspect at an apartment complex in Huntsville.

Police emphasize there has NOT been an active shooter at the VA in Bham. Lockdown is a precaution. https://t.co/lE3kDnMnn5 pic.twitter.com/sGdjWBnqqs — carol robinson (@RobinsonCarol) January 9, 2020

Updated Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020 at 5:53 p.m. to show patients were allowed to leave the Birmingham VA.

AL.com reporter Carol Robinson contributed to this story.