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Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital is in a state of shock after a man entered the hospital on Tuesday and fatally shot a doctor before turning the gun on himself.

According to The Boston Globe, Dr. Michael J. Davidson was shot just after 11 a.m. when Stephen Pasceri entered the hospital armed with a gun. Pasceri, 55, specifically looked for Davidson upon entering the building. Officials say Davidson was fatally shot and died 12 hours later during surgery. While police were looking for the gunman, they found Pasceri dead in an exam room with a self-inflicted gunshot.

Police believe Pasceri was somehow avenging the death of his mother, who died in the hospital just a few months before.

A preliminary investigation suggested his assailant, identified as Stephen Pasceri, 55, of Millbury, “had some issue” with prior medical treatment of his mother at the hospital, said Superintendent Robert Merner, head of the Bureau of Investigative Services. Marguerite E. Pasceri died Nov. 15.

“There was a particular reason he targeted this doctor,” Police Commissioner William B. Evans said.

Brigham’s president, Dr. Elizabeth Nabel, issued a statement about the tragedy:

“Dr. Davidson was a wonderful and inspiring bright light and an outstanding cardiac surgeon who devoted his career to saving lives and improving the quality of life of every patient he cared for,” Dr. Elizabeth Nabel, the hospital’s president, wrote in a late-night letter to staff members. “It is truly devastating that his own life was taken in this horrible manner.”

Davidson was a father of three, known for his friendly demeanor and passion for medicine. The 44-year-old was a cardiovascular surgeon at Brigham since 2006, and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. He was also celebrated by Nabel for his involvement in a landmark heart-valve procedure.

Friends and family were shocked to discover the gunman was Pasceri. He was described as a church guy who took care of his children. His family released a statement:

“Our hearts go out to Dr. Davidson, his family, and friends. We are praying for them. . . . No words can truly express how heartbroken we are by this tragedy.”

Police have begun talking to witnesses, while the hospital will look into more methods to protect their patients and employees. Currently, none of the hospitals in the city have metal detectors.

SOURCE: The Boston Globe | VIDEO CREDIT: News Inc.