Boston Surgeon in Hospital Shooting Dies

Cops think shooter 'had some issue' with dead mom's treatment
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 21, 2015 6:44 AM CST
Boston Surgeon in Hospital Shooting Dies
A Boston police vehicle is parked on the street outside the Shapiro building at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Jan. 20, 2015, in Boston.   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

The Brigham and Women's Hospital cardiovascular surgeon shot twice yesterday by a lone gunman who police believe was upset by his mother's death has succumbed to his injuries, reports the Boston Globe. Dr. Michael Davidson died late yesterday, roughly 12 hours after police say 55-year-old Stephen Pasceri walked into the Boston hospital, asked to see Davidson, and shot the 44-year-old in an exam room. Pasceri, who was found dead of a gunshot wound believed to be self-inflicted, "had some issue" with the treatment of his mother, says the head of the Bureau of Investigative Services. Pasceri's mom, Marguerite Pasceri, died in mid-November. "There was a particular reason he targeted this doctor," says Boston's police commissioner.

Pasceri owned the weapon legally, and the dad of four was mostly known in his Millbury neighborhood for raising money for his church. "They are a very good family," says a Millbury cop, who tells WFXT that "they were shocked, [this was] nothing they anticipated." His family issued a statement last night, saying, "Our hearts go out to Dr. Davidson, his family, and friends. We are praying for them. ... No words can truly express how heartbroken we are by this tragedy." Davidson is survived by his three kids and wife, who is a plastic surgeon. He was hailed as "a wonderful and inspiring bright light and an outstanding cardiac surgeon" by the Brigham and Women's Hospital president last night. The hospital, like many, does not have metal detectors; the Globe notes that hospital shootings are rare enough to be compared to lightning strikes. (More Brigham and Women's Hospital stories.)

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