Gunman Opens Fire at Georgia VA Clinic, Employee Airlifted

Police fatally shot the suspected gunman outside the clinic after the shooting.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:20pm

On Tuesday afternoon, a gunman opened fire at a VA Clinic in Jasper, Georgia, critically injuring one employee. Police responded quickly and fatally shot the gunman outside the clinic. The injured employee was airlifted to a local hospital, but their condition is currently unknown.

Why it matters

Incidents of violence at VA clinics and other healthcare facilities are concerning, as they can undermine the sense of safety and security for both patients and staff. This event raises questions about security protocols at VA facilities and the need to address any underlying issues that may lead to such attacks.

The details

According to Jasper Police Chief Matt Dawkins, the gunman opened fire inside the VA Clinic, shooting and critically injuring a VA employee. Police officers quickly responded to the scene and confronted the gunman outside the clinic, fatally shooting him. The injured employee was airlifted to a nearby hospital, but their current condition is unknown. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the suspect or whether he had any military background.

  • The shooting occurred on Tuesday afternoon around 1:30 PM.

The players

Matt Dawkins

The Jasper Police Chief who responded to the shooting incident at the VA Clinic.

Doug Collins

The Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, who expressed support for the victims and clinic employees following the shooting.

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What they’re saying

“Praying for the victim as well as all Pickens County @DeptVetAffairs Clinic Veterans and employees. The suspect is dead and the threat is eliminated. Very grateful for the quick response of local law enforcement. We are sending a team from VA HQ to Georgia tomorrow to ensure...”

— Doug Collins, VA Secretary

What’s next

The Jasper Police Department and the VA are continuing to investigate the shooting incident to determine the motive and any other details about the suspect.

The takeaway

This tragic event highlights the need for continued vigilance and security measures at VA clinics and other healthcare facilities to protect both patients and staff. It also underscores the importance of addressing any underlying issues that may contribute to such acts of violence in order to prevent similar incidents in the future.