Very sad news.
A police officer, a doctor and a pharmaceutical assistant have been killed following a shooting at Chicago’s Mercy Hospital on Monday.
The gunman shot a doctor outside the hospital before entering the building and killing a pharmaceutical assistant and a police officer during an exchange of gunfire.
The shooter knew the doctor he shot outside Mercy Hospital, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said at a news conference, saying the initial killing was an act of domestic violence.
The gunman also died but it was not immediately clear if he shot himself or was struck by a police officer’s bullet, Supt Johnson said.
Media outlets reported that the gunman was the ex-fiancé of one of the victims.
In a statement on Monday night, Mercy Hospital named the employees shot dead as emergency room physician Tamara O’Neal and pharmacy resident Dayna Less.
The hospital paid tribute to police and security staff, saying it was “deeply saddened by the tragedy.”
“Every shooting in America is a tragedy, and it is especially senseless when a shooting occurs in the healing space of a hospital,” the statement said.
Chicago Police identified the deceased officer as Samuel Jimenez, a father of three. He was killed during an exchange of fire with the gunman.
“What I would ask is that you keep all the victims of today’s horrific incident in your thoughts and prayers,” Supt Johnson said.
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