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VA Clinic Shooting: Social Worker Killed, Gunman Dead
1 Apr
Summary
- A social worker died after being shot at a Georgia VA clinic.
- The shooter was also killed by police at the scene.
- Organizers demand better safety measures for VA employees.
A fatal shooting incident has underscored concerns about workplace violence at a Georgia VA clinic. Nicholas "Nic" Crews, a 34-year-old social work case manager, was fatally shot on Tuesday while working at the Jasper VA clinic.
Investigators report that 51-year-old Lawrence Charles Michels shot Crews during a walk-in mental health consultation. Medics airlifted Crews to a trauma hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries a day later. Michels was shot by police at the scene and also died from his wounds.
In response to the tragedy, Veterans Affairs employees, nurses, and others gathered in Decatur for a vigil. Organizers from National Nurses United and the National Nurses Organizing Committee are demanding greater support and safety for VA workers, citing staffing cuts that they believe compromise patient care and clinician protection.
