MACON, Ga. — Update: 9:00 a.m.
49-year-old Christopher Valentine has been identified as the man who barricaded himself in the restroom at Atrium Health Navicent and later took his own life.
Update: 3:39 a.m.
Atrium Health Navicent issued the following statement about the barricaded gunman situation:
“We are thankful for the assistance of the Bibb County Sheriff's Office and Atrium Health Navicent Hospital Police with the overnight incident involving an armed individual, who barricaded himself in an isolated space in an adjacent medical office building. We continued to provide care for our patients during this incident. The health, safety and well-being of our patients, their families and our teammates remain our top priorities. Pastoral care has been made available for anyone needing support in relation to this incident.”
Update: 1:07 a.m.
The shooter took his own life, according to Bibb County Sheriff David Davis.
He got out of the Bibb County Jail on Jan. 8. He was in jail on a probation violation, Davis wasn't sure how long he was in jail.
The man's name cannot be released at this time.
All shots were fired in the bathroom.
The ER was then evacuated.
According to the sheriff, the incident was a mental health case. He says the man refused to negotiate with law enforcement.
Davis says the medical office building will be sealed off for the next couple of hours.
13WMAZ is still working to find out what led up to the incident and more.
Original Story:
13WMAZ is working to get more information about an active scene at Atrium Health Navicent on Wednesday night in downtown Macon.
The Bibb County Sheriff's Office says the call for assistance came in at 9:16 p.m. from the Atrium Navicent Police.
They say an armed man was locked inside a restroom in a medical office building on 770 Pine Street.
Shots were fired inside the room by the suspect.
Bibb County Sheriff’s Office SWAT, SRT, K-9 Interdiction, Hostage Negotiators, and Patrol Units responded to the scene to assess the situation.
It was determined that the suspect was not holding anyone hostage inside of the restroom. The suspect is contained by himself in the restroom. No one has been harmed at the medical facility. The building the subject is in is not occupied by any civilians or staff.
Atrium Health Navicent sent this statement:
“We are thankful for the assistance of the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office with the ongoing event of an armed individual, who is barricaded in a restroom in the 770 Pine Street medical office building. We are currently focused on communicating with our patients and their families, and our teammates, as their safety is our top priority.”
13WMAZ's Anthony Montalto and Cecily Stoute are at the scene.
Both reporters say the entire block in front of the ER is surrounded by cops. They say they initially saw more than 20 law enforcement vehicles at the scene.
Montalto says he saw ambulances being moved and unmarked cars arriving. He also saw hospital staff watching the scene from windows.
Everything from a 6-way intersection on New Street and north towards downtown is blocked off.
13WMAZ will update when more information is available.
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