Three women and a suspected gunman are dead after a decorated former serviceman who was receiving PTSD treatment stormed a California veterans home on Friday.
Gunfire was first reported at 10.20 am after the suspect stormed a going away party being held at the home on Friday. Authorities said the gunman was armed and wearing a bulletproof vest when he slipped into the facility, which is the largest veterans home in the US.
36 year old Albert Wong, has been identified as the deceased suspect, according to the Napa County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office.
Executive Director Christine Loeber, 48, therapist Dr Jen Golick, 42, and Dr Jennifer Gonzales, a 29-year-old psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, have been identified as the victims.
Officials said all three women were employees of The Pathway Home, a privately run program at the Veterans Home of California, Yontville in Napa.
Wong, of Sacramento, was a former member of the Pathway Home Program but had been asked to leave earlier this week, according to California State Sen Bill Dodd.
It is a tragic ending to a day-long standoff with police that saw more than 30 shots fired at officials and a nearly 10-hour lockdown at the facility.
Wong was awarded four medals, including an Afghanistan campaign medal with two campaign stars. Records showed Wong served as in the infantry during three years of active service in the U.S. Army ending August 2013. He was also awarded an Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle.
The Pathway Home released a statement on Friday night hailing the three victims for their dedication. 'These brave women were accomplished professionals who dedicated their careers to serving our nation's veterans and working closely with those in the greatest need of attention after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.All of us at The Pathway Home are devastated by today's events. We stand with the families, friends, and colleagues who share in this terrible loss' the statement read.
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