Two doctors found dead after Austin hostage standoff at doctor’s office

A pediatrician recently diagnosed with terminal cancer took several hostages inside an Austin, Texas, medical center Tuesday before killing another doctor, then himself, according to officials.

Dr. Bharat Narumanchi, 43, was identified Wednesday as the suspect in the deadly hostage situation, according to the Austin Police Department.

Narumanchi allegedly walked into the doctor’s office, where he had applied a week earlier, around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, armed with a pistol, what appeared to be a shotgun and two duffel bags, witnesses told police.

A man and a woman embrace as Austin police officers and members of SWAT work the scene of a suspected hostage situation at a doctor's office in Austin, Texas. (Bronte Wittpenn/)

Five employees were inside when Narumanchi arrived and told them to tie themselves up, Jeff Greenwalt of the Austin Police Department said during a press conference Wednesday. All were able to escape or were released except for Dr. Katherine Lindley Dodson, 43.

Hostage negotiators attempted to make contact with Narumanchi for several hours.

“You can come out of the front door with your hands up and empty and follow the instructions of the officer,” the negotiator yelled at one point, according to KXAN.

“I know you’ve been dealt a very terrible card, but you’ve spent your entire life dedicated to other people.”

Police begin to enter the building, where they would find two people dead. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/)

After several hours of silence, the SWAT team made entry into the building and found both Narumanchi and Dodson dead.

Officials said it appeared that Narumanchi shot Dodson, then himself, but an investigation is underway.

Greenwalt urged anyone with insight into Narumanchi’s thought process to call APD Homicide at 512-974-TIPS, email homicide.apd@austintexas.gov, or call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 512-472-8477 (TIPS).