Case:                         21-0260937  
 
Date:                         Tuesday, January 26, 2021
 
Time:                         4:29 p.m.
 
Location:                  1912 W. 35^th St.
 
Victim:                       Dr. Katherine Lindley Dodson, White female, 6/30/1977
 
Suspect/Deceased:  Dr.  Bharat Narumanchi, Indian male, 8/10/1977
 
On Tuesday, January 26, 2021, Austin 911 received a Gun Hot Shot call at 1912 W. 35^th Street. The caller reported that a male subject entered their place of business, a doctor’s office, with a gun and was holding hostages inside.
 
As the incident began to unfold, it was learned that several hostages were in fact being held inside the business. Several hostages initially escaped and others were later allowed to leave with the exception of Dr. Katherine Dodson. 
 
Officers conducted interviews with the hostages on scene and were able to identify the suspect as Dr. Bharat Narumanchi. Officers also learned that Dr. Narumanchi had been to this office a week ago and applied for a volunteer position. Dr. Narumanchi was a pediatrician who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. Hostages reported to officers that he was armed with a pistol and what appeared to be a shotgun and had two duffel bags. Other than the previously mentioned visit to this office there did not appear to be any relation or other contact between Dr. Dodson and Dr. Narumanchi.    
 
Hostage negotiators arrived on scene and attempted to make contact with Dr. Narumanchi, to no avail. After several attempts, it was decided to make entry into the building. Austin Police SWAT officers made entry and located both Dr. Dodson and Dr. Narumanchi deceased inside the building from apparent gunshot wounds.      
 
Homicide investigators were called out to investigate and process the scene. It appeared that Dr. Narumanchi shot himself after shooting Dr. Dodson. 
 
The case is still under investigation. The Travis County Medical Examiner will be conducting an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death.
 
Detectives are asking anyone with information or video of the incident to call APD Homicide at 512-974-TIPS, email homicide.apd@austintexas.gov, utilize the Crime Stoppers tip line at 512-472-8477 (TIPS), or the Crime Stoppers app. You may remain anonymous. You can also submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, free on iPhone and Android.