An employee of the Fresenius Medical Care West Orlando was shot to death Friday morning, deputies with the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.
The shooting happened at 6:51 a.m as Gregory Whitbeck, 55, was walking into the center, located in the area of West Colonial Drive and Kirkman Road, deputies said.
Whitbeck was approached by a black man and a black woman and was then shot, deputies said. Witnesses said before the shooting, they saw some sort of struggle.
Photos: Employee shot and killed outside Orlando dialysis center
“My heart just goes out to somebody’s family. You go to work and then all of a sudden, you’re not going to come back home. It’s really sad,” said a person who didn’t want to be identified.
No information was released on which of the two fired at the victim or why he was shot.
“He was holding the (white) coat going in (to the facility) to get help,” a witness said.
“He was a really good guy. That’s all I could say,” said Clarence Flagg, a nearby restaurant worker.
The Florida Health Department’s website shows Whitbeck was licensed as a clinical social worker intern.
Deputies said they don’t believe the suspects demanded anything and told Eyewitness News that Whitbeck appeared to be an innocent victim.
A Bishop who recently held a prayer vigil calling for an end to violence in the neighborhood showed up to the crime scene.
“It’s not just the west side. It’s happening on the east side. It’s coming, I keep telling everybody, it’s coming to a neighborhood near you,” said Kelvin Cobaris, bishop of the Impact Church.
He said without change, people can expect to see more violence.
“We’ve got to do something, and this is an everybody effort,” Cobaris said.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts or identity of the suspects is asked to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS or to contact the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
A spokesperson for Fresenius Medical Care West Orlando facility said in a statement late Friday morning:
We are deeply saddened to report that an employee who worked at our West Orlando dialysis clinic was shot this morning outside of the facility and passed away at Health Central Hospital. Our heartfelt thoughts go out to the family and friends of the deceased and to our employees who worked with the individual. No patients were harmed during this incident and we are working closely with local authorities on their investigation. In the wake of this tragic event, we are diverting patients scheduled for subsequent shifts to our nearby facilities, and are making grief counselors available for patients and employees. Our focus is ensuring the well-being of the employee's family, our patients and staff."
Deputies said it's too early in the investigation to determine if Friday's shooting is related to a doctor who was shot in the leg last month.
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