Police responding to Baylor Hospital is Waxahachie, Texas. (Twitter/@autumnvessel)
An armed gunman caused a standoff at a Texas hospital after coming into the ER while allegedly holding a gun to his child’s torso.
WFAA identified the father as Lorenzo Zarate, 33, and said the child was an infant, according to police. It was unclear why the man allegedly walked into the hospital or was armed, but it led to a brief standoff that ended after a negotiator arrived, said the television station.
Waxahachie PD confirms man came into ER holding a gun to his child’s head. Man in custody. Child safe. No one hurt.
By 7:50 p.m., the gunman was in custody without anyone hurt. The Waxahachie Police Department wrote on Facebook: “Situation has been resolved without injury. You will continue to see the presence of law enforcement in the area as the investigation continues. Baylor Waxahachie will resume operation.”
NBC 5 said the suspect was a man who had “barricaded” himself in the ER.
#BREAKING: Law enforcement has standoff suspect in custody at Baylor Hospital in Waxahachie. No one hurt.
However, police remained at the hospital on the night of the shooting.
#UPDATE: Situation at Waxahachie hospital has been resolved according to police. The hospital will resume operation with police presence.
Allison Harris, of Fox 4 News, reported, “…nurse inside on lockdown says man held gun to child’s head, then let child go.” Police now say the gun was directed at the child’s torso, said WFAA.
NBCDFW spoke to an eyewitness:
Cops still on scene at Baylor Scott & White in Waxahachie. Suspect in custody. @NBCDFW
The Waxahachie Daily Light said on Facebook shortly after 7:30 p.m.: “Confirmation of an individual considered to be armed with weapon in the emergency room of Baylor Scott and White in Waxahachie. This is an active situation and emergency personnel are still working to secure the area/scene. According to Waxahachie PD, no one is injured at this time, but the situation is still developing.”
Pictures from inside Baylor Hospital in Waxahachie (via @Autumnvessel) where PD is involved in a “critical incident”
The reports were early and information was unfolding by the minute. Baylor Scott & White Hospital is located in Waxahachie, Texas. Waxahachie, Texas is a city of about 33,000 people near Dallas.
#BREAKING: Stand-off at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Waxahachie. Suspect reportedly has a hostage. @WBAP247NEWS
At 7:10 p.m., the Waxahachie Police Department posted the following safety alert: “Please avoid Baylor Waxahachie and the surrounding area. Waxahachie PD and Baylor PD are handling a critical incident at this time. We will provide an update as soon as possible.”
On the Police Department’s page, one man said the gunman was in the ER. He wrote, “There is a hostage situation one gunman at ER waiting room at Baylor. They have evacuated the Emergency department.”
A Fox4 television reporter also said a nurse told her the ER was being evacuated.
Waxahachie Police say man in custody. Witness says a man walked into the ER with a gun. Gathering more info @NBCDFW
A WFAA-TV reporter tweeted, “Waxahachie, Texas police in stand off at Baylor hospital off Hwy. 287 Bypass. Suspect inside is armed, reportedly has a hostage.”
One woman tweeted that the hostage situation involved a mother and daughter, but authorities later said a man was the gunman.
Other reports also said there was an active shooter at the hospital.
Television reports said the gunman might have taken a hostage.
#BREAKING Waxahachie PD in stand off at Baylor Hospital – Armed suspect inside with hostage per law enforcement sources
However, the situation resolved without injury.