At a recent press conference in connection with the shooting that occurred at a Tulsa hospital that killed four people, law enforcement stated that the gunman’s motive for the massacre was to enter the building to target a doctor whom he felt did not provide him adequate care for back surgery.
Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin shared that the gunman had repeatedly called the clinic complaining of back pain and chose to specifically target the doctor who performed the surgery before killing himself as police arrived the day of the shooting.
The gunman was armed with a rifle and a handgun when he entered the hospital and opened fire at an orthopedic office on the second floor.
Those who’s lives were taken include Dr. Preston Phillips, Dr. Stephanie Husen, receptionist Amanda Glenn and visitor William Love, according to police.
The Tulsa Police Chief identified the gunman as 45-year-old Michael Louis of Muskogee, Oklahoma.
Dr. Preston Phillips
Dr. Stephanie J. Husen, D.O.
The New York Post reported more details on the tragic event:
A deranged gunman with a rifle and a handgun who killed four people at an Oklahoma medical building targeted a doctor who previously operated on him “and anyone who got in his way,” authorities said Thursday.
The gunman, identified as Michael Louis, opened fire at about 5 p.m. Wednesday at an orthopedic office on the second floor of the Natalie Medical Building at Saint Francis Health System in Tulsa, Police Chief Wendell Franklin told reporters at a press conference.
Louis, 45, of Muskogee, went to the hospital on May 19 for back surgery, which was performed by Dr. Preston Phillips. Louis was released on May 24, Franklin said.
Louis proceeded to call several times to complain of pain and sought additional treatment. He then saw Phillips on Tuesday and called the doctor’s office again on Wednesday seeking additional help, Franklin said.
About an hour before the shooting, Louis legally bought a semi-automatic AR-15-style rifle from a local gun store and purchased a semi-automatic handgun on May 29 from a local pawn shop, Franklin said.
Cops recovered dozens of spent shell casings from the shooting scene, as well as a letter penned by Louis that made it clear he intended to kill Phillips and “anyone who got in his way” following the surgery that he claimed had left him ailing, Franklin said.
He managed to get inside the facility via a second-floor garage, where he parked before he “worked his way into the building,” Franklin said.
Since the tragedy at Uvalde, Democratic leaders have further pushed for greater restrictions on guns meanwhile Republicans continue to emphasize more security at schools.
This divide has caused a halt on action in Congress and many state capitols on how best to respond to the increased number of gun-related deaths in the U.S.
Sources: TheGatewayPundit, The New York Post
