Fired Physician Kills UW Doctor, Himself

A resident physician who had recently been fired walked into the office of a high-ranking doctor, shot him to death and then killed himself Wednesday afternoon in a private office at the University of Washington Health Sciences Building, campus police said.

The victims were identified as Dr. Rodger C. Haggitt, 57, director of the UW Medical Center pathology division, and Dr. Jian Chen, in his 30s, a resident physician from Taiwan.

Chen apparently had an appointment when he entered Haggitt’s private office at the end of a hallway on the second floor of the BB tower, campus police Capt. Randy Stegmeyer said.

Chen had recently been told that his contract had not been renewed. Police said they believe Chen had been at UW for about a year.

Staff members outside the office’s closed door heard raised voices, then at least one gunshot, then a few minutes later another shot. The shooting was reported about 3:45 p.m. and university police found both men dead.

Evidence indicates that Chen shot Haggitt, then himself, police said.

A handgun was found at the scene.