'An absolute light': Community mourns death of local pediatrician killed in murder-suicide

Flowers adorn the front of Children's Medical Group in mourning of pediatrician Dr. Katherine Lindley Dodson, who was killed as a hostage in a murder-suicide after an hours-long standoff with SWAT Police on Tuesday night.

The suspect, physician Dr. Bharat Narumanchi, reportedly held five employees hostage for several hours before shooting Dodson and later himself. All other employees managed to escape or were released.

(Christa McWhirter)

Family, friends and community members have taken to social media to memorialize Dr. Dodson, who has been described as an "absolute light" who "brought blessings and joy to every life she touched."

Karen Vladeck, whose two sons were attended by Dr. Dodson, took to Twitter to share memories of Dodson. According to Vladeck, Dodson "made you feel that your child's illness was the only one that mattered in that moment" and made parents and children alike feel "important and heard."

Among the hundreds of comments, many described Dodson as "kind, caring and funny". Memories shared included her habit of saying, "Hey friend!" as she entered a room, calling the parents of patients after hours to ease concerns, and knowing every patient on a personal level.

A GoFundMe has been set up in support of Children's Medical Group staff and families. Austin physicians are also reportedly planning a candlelight vigil in her memory, and some have already held a prayer circle in front of the practice.

A long-time local physician, Dodson joined Children's Medical Group in 2017. She was named one of the top pediatricians in Texas by Texas Super Doctors in both 2019 and 2020.