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2 dead in Florida hospital shooting; suspect captured

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MGN

TITUSVILLE, Fla. (AP) – A gunman entered a Florida hospital through the emergency room early Sunday, went to the third floor and fatally shot a patient and an employee apparently at random, police said.

David Owens, 29, entered Parrish Medical Center at 2 a.m. and used a handgun to fatally shoot 88-year-old patient Cynthia Zingsheim and employee Carrie Rouzer, 36, who was sitting with Zingsheim in her room, Titusville police said.

Owens left the gun in the room and was tackled by two unarmed security guards as he left, police said.

“The bravery they showed was amazing,” Titusville Police Chief John Lau said.

Authorities said they have found no motive for the shooting and no immediate connection between Owens and the women. All lived in Titusville.

The shooting “appears to be extremely random,” Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.

Owens has been charged with two counts of murder. He is being held without bail at the Brevard County Jail.

Court records show that in 2011 he was found guilty of battery on a police officer and that twice in 2012 a judge ordered him to undergo a mental health examination.

Records show that other arrests for cocaine and marijuana possession and domestic battery were dismissed.

No one answered the phone Sunday at the Brevard County public defender’s office, and it could not be determined if Owens has an attorney.

The hospital has reopened.

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