Two people are dead after police say a man walked up to a doctor in a hospital parking lot in Massillon, shot him, then turned the gun on himself.
It happened in the parking lot outside Affinity Medical Center. The victim, a cardiologist and father of 13. The motive? Police say he and the gunman shared a mutual love interest.
As Dr. George Seese left Affinity Hospital and walked to get inside his car, a black Denali, Massillon Police say he was approached by Michael Wood.
"The shooter comes around from around that white Jeep back there and comes forward and fires," said Massillon Police Chief Keith Moser.
Multiple shots were fired, as many as five, hitting Dr. Seese at least twice. The commotion scared people nearby.
"I heard gunshots and I just didn't know what was going on," said Michele Cearfoss, who lives in the neighborhood of Affinity Hospital. "I got down to my house as fast as I could and stayed inside."
Police say Wood then shot himself. He and Seese were rushed inside the hospital, where they were both pronounced dead.
Online profiles say Dr. George Seese, known as Skip, was a cardiologist, practicing for more than 20 years. He had 13 children, as well as grandchildren. He loved sports and fishing. Now gone, police say, because of sharing a love interest with the shooter.
"It appears at this time that he targeted the doctor specifically," said Chief Moser.
Police Det. Jason Gohlike says Dr. George Seese was currently going through a divorce. Seese was seeing another woman who told police she had dated Wood in the past.
While authorities were trying to figure out if this was an isolated incident or an active shooter situation, Massillon area schools were placed on lockdown. That lockdown was lifted shortly after, as police discovered the shooter had turned the gun on himself.
Tank Services, the last place Michael Wood is known to have worked, released this statement following the incident:
We were shocked and saddened to learn of the incident that took place yesterday at Affinity Hospital. Michael Wood was not employed by Tank Services at the time of this very unfortunate incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Seese, his family and others affected by this terrible tragedy. We will have no further comment on this matter.