A gunman walked into a local nursing home and rehabilitation center and opened fire, killing eight people, but area legislators are resisting the urge to call for more security at similar facilities.

Senator Harris Blake and Rep. Jamie Boles both said they would be against requiring more stringent safety requirements for health care facilities.

"I don't think we should react on that level," Blake said. "If we do, we've given up our freedom."

Boles, who is a member of a local rescue squad, added, "This is still America. This is just an isolated incident."

Sunday morning a lone gunman, Robert Stewart, 45, of Carthage, walked into Pinelake Health and Rehabilitation Center around 10 a.m. Sunday and opened fire on patients and staff.

Eleven people were shot. Six died on site, and two others died at the hospital.

Carthage police officer Justin Garner responded to the call, entered the building alone and encountered Stewart in a back hallway of the facility. The four-year veteran of the department shot Stewart one time in the chest.

Both men were taken to the hospital. Garner has been treated for injuries to his left foot and lower left leg and then released. Stewart remains in police custody. He faces eight counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony assault of a police officer. Other charges are pending at this time.

The investigation is on-going. Police have removed multiple weapons and three vehicles from the scene.