Johns Hopkins Hospital: Gunman Shoots Doctor, Then Kills Self and Mother

Sept. 16, 2010 — -- A gunman upset over news about his mother's medical condition opened fire inside Baltimore's Johns Hopkins Hospital Thursday morning, wounding a doctor before fatally shooting his mom and then turning the gun on himself.

Warren Davis, 50, the alleged gunman, grew "overwhelmed" when the doctor told him about the care of his mother, Jean Davis, and pulled a small semi-automatic handgun from his waistband at about 11:11 a.m., according to Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld.

"[Davis] was receiving some news about the care and condition of his mother just outside the doorway of [her] room and he became emotionally distraught and reacted," said Bealefeld.

Davis then "fired a single gunshot that struck the doctor in the lower chest, upper abdomen," said Bealefeld.

ABC News has confirmed that the injured doctor is Dr. David Cohen, an orthopedic physician who specializes in spine surgery, osteoporosis and scoliosis, according to his biography on the hospital's website. He was rushed to the operating room and is expected to make a full recovery.

"The doctor collapsed just outside the doorway of the room and Mr. Davis was last seen running into the room brandishing the handgun in the direction of his mother, who was confied to her bed," said Bealefeld.

Police surrounded room 873 of the Nelson Building of the Hopkins hospital complex.

Bealefeld said that at approximately 1:30 pm the SWAT team was able to determine that Davis had fallen to the floor, suffering from a self-inflicted shot to the head. Upon entering the hospital room, medical personnel determined that Davis and his mother were both dead. Jean Davis also had a gunshot wound to her head, police said.

"At this point we are treating this case as a murder-suicide," said Bealefeld.

Bealfeld said he was not sure what Davis' mother had been treated for.

Michelle Burrell, who works in a coffee shop in the hospital lobby, told The Associated Press that she was told by employees on the floor where the shooting occured that Davis was "upset about his mother being paralyzed by the doctor."

Johns Hopkins Hospital Shooting: Gunman Kills Himself and His Mother, Shoots Doctor

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake also made a statement, thanking various law enforcement agencies for their swift response.

"Johns Hopkins is our largest private employer and arguably the best medical instituation on the planet," said Blake. "The importance of Johns Hopkins University and the Johns Hopkins community to the city of Baltimore cannot be overstated."

Johns Hopkins issued a statement that said, "The Johns Hopkins Hospital is grateful to the Baltimore City Police department for its successful efforts to end this situation and protect patients and visitors."

Police said the incident was "isolated to a small section of the hospital."