Chaos broke out inside a Central Fresno healthcare clinic on Thursday morning when a man walked in and opened fire.
“Callers stated they heard multiple shots, anywhere from five to six,” Fresno Police Department Lieutenant Larry Bowlan said.
Police confirm the suspect, now identified as 69-year-old Bounlab Thammavong, was a patient at the clinic for an appointment.
Fresno Police have identified the man suspected of shooting an employee at the Family HealthCare Network in central Fresno as 69-year-old Bounlab Thammavong. Courtesy of the Fresno Police Department
The shooting happened in an exam room while Thammavong was with a female employee.
“They located the victim in the back part of the location [lying] on the ground, suffering from multiple gunshots,” Lt. Bowlan said.
The victim underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical condition.
She worked at the clinic, but the police are only describing her as in her 30s.
“Looks like this was some type of personal interaction between the patient and the employee that was targeted,” Lt. Bowlan said.
The shooting played out with nearly four dozen other people inside, including employees and patients. Many of them feared for their lives, but none of them were physically injured.
Scanner audio captured the moment police moved in.
“The description of the suspect … we’re contacting one inside the lobby, Asian male, brown hat with a plaid shirt,” a responding officer is heard saying. “Turn around! Turn around!” another shouts.
Outside, Thammavong went into a patrol car.
Police say Thammavong had been going to the health care facility for the past year.
Investigators recovered the gun.
“It does seem like it was very intentional and very deliberate,” Lt. Bowlan said.
The clinic’s president and CEO, Kerry Hydash, released a statement on Thursday, writing that the Family HealthCare Network is “…cooperating with the Fresno Police Department.”
“Our team members are our top priority right now,” she went on to write.
The clinic remains closed as the investigation continues.
“It’s not something you would expect when you probably go to a health care facility like this,” Lt. Bowlan said. “We’re going to be working (on) this for probably the next several days.”
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