Medical Community Mourns Doctor's Killing In Rancho Mirage

RANCHO MIRAGE, CA — The medical community is mourning the shooting death of one of its own following grim news of an apparent murder-suicide in Rancho Mirage. Dr. David Duffner, 67, of Palm Springs was gunned down in his practice Friday around 9:30 a.m. by 63-year-old Walter Carter of Desert Hot Springs. Carter turned the gun on himself and was also pronounced dead at the scene.

Duffner had been in practice for more than 30 years, most recently running Orthopedic & Physical Medicine Associates Inc. in the strip mall where he was killed: 71511 Highway 111, Suite A.

Duffner earned his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City, and went on to complete his residency in orthopedics at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. He also completed a fellowship in adult reconstructive orthopedics at the University of Basel in Switzerland. He held a master of business administration from the University of Houston, according to his bio from Orthopedic & Physical Medicine Associates Inc.

Duffner had also served as chief of surgery at Desert Regional Medical Center as well as chairman of bioethics, according to The Desert Sun.

Board-certified in orthopedic surgery by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duffner was a member of the Riverside County Medical Association, and a founding member of the North American Spine Society.

Riverside County Medical Association President Bruce Holmblad, M.D., and California Medical Association President Peter Bretan, M.D., released the following statement following news of Duffner's death: “We are heartbroken by the death of our friend and colleague, David Duffner. Dr. Duffner gave his life in service to his patients, the work he had dedicated his life to for more than 30 years. He was a community leader, an accomplished surgeon and an even better person who moved from Texas to serve the Coachella Valley with distinction for decades. As we grieve for his family, his patients and our community, and come to terms with this senseless act of violence and unbearable loss, we must also ensure we do everything we can to ensure the physicians office is a safe place for doctors and patients alike, and to prevent horrible incidents like the one that has rocked our community.”

On Saturday, the Texas Medical Association tweeted out, "Sad, sad news out of Calif. Dr Duffner was a former @TEXMED member and past chair of ⁦@texmedPAC." ⁩

Michelle Finney, CEO of the Desert Care Network, told The Desert Sun, "We mourn the tragic passing of Dr. David Duffner, a long-time leader and member of the Medical Staff at Desert Regional Medical Center. Dr. Duffner was a friend to many in the Coachella Valley and will be deeply missed by those of us who knew and worked with him over the years."

According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Carter entered Duffner's office and shot the physician multiple times before turning the gun on himself. No one else was hurt in the shooting, although several patrons were inside the building.

A motive for the shooting has not been released, and sheriff's investigators have not said how the two men may have been connected.

Funeral details for Duffner have not been publicly announced.