Police: Doctor shot and killed in hospital office, patient then commits suicide

(CNN)  Police say a patient shot and killed a prominent New Orleans-area doctor inside his hospital office, before turning the gun on himself at a fast food restaurant.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene Thursday after 911 calls started coming from the hospital.

Authorities say Dr. Elbert Goodier III, 75, died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The attack happened when Dr. Goodier was treating a patient on the East Jefferson General Hospital campus.Police have identified the gunman as John P. Thomas, 73, of Kenner, Louisiana.

After shooting the doctor, police say Thomas walked across the parking lot to a Wendy's restaurant. When officer's approached the front door, witnesses said he turned the gun on himself. Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene.

There's no motive in the case, but the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office said Thomas was a patient of Dr. Goodier, a well-known urologist.

The Sheriff's Office said Thomas had no criminal history. His family said he suffered from an undisclosed mental illness, according to the police statement.

In a Facebook posting, the hospital's President and CEO Mark Peters wrote that the killing was a tragic loss and that "Dr. Goodier was respected and beloved by all who had the privilege of knowing him."