Dallas hospital shooter was parolee attending birth of his child, police say
A man on parole wearing an ankle monitor was granted leave so that he could witness the birth of his child at a Texas medical center — where he instead shot and killed two hospital employees, authorities said.
Nestor Hernandez received special permission to join his “significant other” at Methodist Dallas Medical Center during her delivery Saturday, said Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokeswoman Amanda Hernandez.
The 30-year-old suspect was previously sentenced to prison for aggravated robbery and was released on parole last October, though no other details were provided.
Hernandez was wearing an active ankle monitor when he burst into the hospital on Saturday around 11 a.m., Dallas Police said.
According to a statement from the Methodist Health System, he unleashed gunfire near the “mother/baby” unit, prompting a response from both the Dallas Police Department as well as the medical center’s police force. He was shot and injured by a hospital police officer and arrested on capital murder charges.
Hernandez was taken to another hospital for treatment. It’s still unclear what exactly prompted his attack, police said.
“The Methodist Health System Family is heartbroken at the loss of two of our beloved team members,” said a statement from the medical system’s executive leadership. “Our entire organization is grieving this unimaginable tragedy.”
Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia on Monday identified the victims as Jacqueline Pokuaa, 45, and Katie Flowers, 63.
With News Wire Services
