Ohio Doctor Killed, Gunman Dead In Apparent Murder-Suicide At Affinity Medical Center

A Massillon, Ohio doctor was fatally shot Monday in the parking lot of Affinity Medical Center as he left the hospital and walked to his vehicle. The gunman also killed himself at the same spot after killing the doctor, Massillon police said.

Police have identified the shooter as Michael Wood who fired at Dr. George Q. Seese around 2 p.m. EST on Monday before fatally shooting himself.

As part of their initial investigation, police said that the attack to have been targeted and the investigation revealed that both of the men "shared a mutual love interest."

Wood had reportedly confronted Dr. Seese at his car where he shot and killed the victim. Wood then walked over to his car which was parked behind Seese's and fatally shot himself, police said. At least six spent rounds were found in the parking lot, according to Massillon police.

Seese, 59, was immediately rushed to Affinity Medical Center for treatment, however, he succumbed to his injuries and died during a surgery, Stark County Coroner Chief Investigator Harry Campbell said, according to Akron Beacon Journal in Ohio.

Wood, 50, was declared dead in the hospital’s emergency room following the shooting, Campbell said. According to the police, the incident occurred about 150 feet from the hospital’s ER in the Amherst Road parking lot.

"A shooting took place outside our hospital earlier this afternoon. The Massillon police were immediately dispatched to our parking lot and detectives are continuing to actively investigate the scene. For the safety of patients, staff, and visitors, the hospital was on lockdown for a period of time. The police have since cleared the facility and the hospital is no longer on lockdown," Affinity Medical Center said in a statement on Monday.

"Our staff throughout the facility quickly responded to this incident by following their training to safeguard patients and visitors to the best of their ability. At this time, patient care continues in our hospital," the statement added, according to Fox 8.

Both the deceased were found on the ground in the parking lot of the hospital. A man, who lives near the hospital told Cantonrep.com in Stark County that he heard about six shots being fired from the area.

Seese, who went by the nickname "Skip," was a general cardiologist with Stark Medical Specialties Inc. in Perry Township and specialized in echocardiograms, general cardiology, stress testing, and critical care medicine. In addition to the Affinity Medical Center, he also practiced at Aultman Hospital in Canton, Union Hospital in Dover, and Aultman Orrville Hospital in Orrville.

Nearby schools also went on lockdown after the shooting took place. However, the lockdown was later lifted.

"The safety of our students and staff is always our number one priority. This afternoon, the Massillon Police Department notified us that there was a safety concern within the community. The Massillon City School District took immediate action and placed each building on lockdown for precautionary measures. Police have now notified us that it is safe to come out of lockdown," Massillon City Schools said in a statement on their Facebook page.