The gunman charged with killing two people Sunday at Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Fla., is claiming mental illness, according to an Associated Press report published by WWSB.
Harley Gutin, an attorney for the 29-year-old suspect, David Owens of Titusville, said in the report his client is severely mentally ill and incompetent to stand trial.
Authorities told CNN Mr. Owens entered a patient's room at PMC early Sunday and opened fire, killing an elderly female patient and a hospital employee in what appears to be a random attack.
Two security guards restrained the shooter moments after he opened fire around 2 a.m. Sunday. The guards were not armed and held the suspect down until police arrived to take him into custody, according to CNN.
The victims are 88-year-old patient Cynthia Zingsheim and hospital employee Carrie Rouzer, who was sitting in Ms. Zingsheim's room, the Associated Press reports. As of Monday, Mr. Owens was being held without bond in the Brevard County Jail on two counts of first-degree premeditated murder.
Mr. Gutin said in the Associated Press report his client's family had been making efforts in recent weeks to get Mr. Owens long-term mental healthcare. According to WFTV, Mr. Owens was awaiting a court-ordered mental evaluation and has been ordered to get help at least five times in the last 10 years.
Mr. Gutin did not know how Mr. Owens was able to get a gun.