Police identify two killed at Parrish Medical Center

The gunman shot an elderly woman and a hospital worker before being tackled and pinned to the ground by security, who held the gunman in place until police arrived.

Eighty-eight-year-old Cynthia Zingsheim, a patient, and 36-year-old Carrie Rouzer, a hospital employee, were shot and killed. The gunman’s motive was unknown.

Local media says the shootings happened about 2 a.m. on the third floor of Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, which is near the Kennedy Space Center. “Two deceased, scene secure, unk motive at this time”. We are asking non-emergency patients and all visitors to enter through the front entrance until further notice.

Neither the suspect nor the two slain women have been identified.

Titusville, on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, is about 40 miles east of Orlando.

The incident appears to be random.

“We are indebted to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Department”, said Lau.

In June 2009, a nursing assistant was shot several times in the hospital parking lot by her estranged husband, police said. Dave Jacobs with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office told Florida Today.

Parrish Medical Center spokeswoman Natalie Sellers also praised the hospital staff members for how they handled the attack.

Titusville Police Chief John Lau credited two hospital security guards for responding quickly to apprehend the gunman, saying their actions saved lives.

Officials wouldn’t specify what type of gun with which the shooter was armed.