A gunman who killed four people at an Oklahoma hospital targeted his back surgeon, the Tulsa Sheriff said.
Man made take a shot at the St Francis Hospital campus in Tulsa on Wednesday was identified by police as Michael Lewis.
The gunman blamed the doctor – Dr Preston Phillips – who operated on his back for the pain he was experiencing. Dr. Phillips was one of the dead.
Another doctor and two others were killed after the gunman opened fire with a handgun and an AR-15-style weapon – the same semi-automatic used in recent times Texas Shooting Range.
Lewis purchased a gun an hour before the shooting and three days before. Tulsa Sheriff Wendell Franklin said both are believed to have been purchased legally.
He committed suicide after a shootout that lasted about five minutes.
The details come ahead of President Biden’s speech on gun laws late Thursday. He wants to urge Congress to “pass common sense laws to combat the epidemic of gun violence that is taking lives every day,” the White House said.
Police added that Lewis parked his car on the second floor, where Dr Phillips’ office is located, and “indiscriminately” shot anyone who got in the way.
Emergency personnel at the Warren Clinic in Tulsa shortly after the shooting
Sheriff Franklin said Lewis had a letter on it that “made it clear that he came with the intent to kill Dr. Phillips and anyone who stood in his way”.
The other doctor killed was an orthopedic doctor, Dr. Stephanie Husen, and the others killed were receptionist Amanda Green and patient William Love.
Mr Love had closed the door to let others escape when he was shot, while one of the other victims was opening the door to let others escape.
Lewis had gone to an appointment a day earlier and Dr Phillips had tried to give him some relief from the surgery on May 19.
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His wife called the police because Lewis contacted her before the shooting happened or during the explosion to let her know what he had done.
There was also a bomb threat at his home, but police are still working out the details.
A spokesman for St Francis said: “Dr Phillips is an impeccable gentleman, a man we should all strive to emulate.
“The fact that some individuals will follow Dr. Phillips is heartening, he’s one of those people who thinks his clinic isn’t always on time because he’ll spend every minute of his time with his patients. they need.
“It was not only a shock but a final loss for St Francis.”
Several others were injured in the shooting, but they were treated and discharged the same day.
