Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Collier County, FL: Husband walks into Collier County hospital, shoots & kills estranged wife

Story Created: Jul 05, 2011 at 5:38 PM America/New_York

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. - A Collier County woman is dead and the gunman is seriously injured, after shots are fired inside Physicians Regional Medical Center in Collier County.

Deputies say the victim, Christine Moretz, was visiting the hospital just after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, when her estranged husband, Jeffery Moretz, walked in, opened fire, killing Christine, before turning the gun on himself.

"A single gunman entered a patient room and shot one individual before shooting himself," said Taylor Hamilton, Marketing Director, Physicians Regional Medical Center.

The Collier County Sheriff's Office told WINK News, Christine was visiting a friend in the hospital, when Jeffery showed up, opened fire and killed her before shooting himself. Jeffery was taken to a local area hospital where he is in the Intensive Care Unit.

"The alleged shooter has been secured, so we don't believe there is any threat to the community," said Michelle Batten, Collier County Sheriff's Office.

Within minutes, the hospital was on lockdown with heavy law enforcement presence around the building, especially near the emergency room. The shooting was kept to a single patient room inside and no one else was hurt.

"Physicians Regional is committed to the safety and well being of our patients, visitors and associates. We want to express our condolences to the family of those involved," said Hamilton.

A look into the background of Jeffery and Christine shows that on June 17, Jeffery filed for divorce from Christine. In 2009, Jeffery was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for firing shots inside his home. Several people were inside during that shooting, but no one was hurt.

WINK News will continue to follow this story and bring you more information as we receive it.

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