New details are emerging after the mass shooting at a Tulsa medical center left four people dead on Wednesday (June 1) including two physicians.
Police say the suspected gunman, Michael Louis, was a patient at the Natalie Building of the Saint Francis Hospital and targeted his surgeon, Dr. Preston Phillips in the shooting. Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin said at a press conference Thursday (June 2) that Louis underwent back surgery on May 19 and Phillips was his surgeon.
A letter was found on the gunman that made it evident "that he came with the intent to Dr. Phillips and anyone who got in his way," Franklin said. "He blamed Dr. Phillips for the ongoing pain following the surgery."
The others killed in the shooting were Dr. Stephanie Husen, office employee Amanda Green and patient William Love.
Franklin said the other victims, "stood in the way," so the shooter "gunned them down." Louis' body was found in the lobby area of the office and had died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Tulsa police said Louis legally purchased an AR-style rifle just hours before the shooting and had purchased a 40-caliber handgun from a pawn show on May 29.
Authorities say Louis was released from the hospital on May 24, five days after his procedure, and had called Phillips several times complaining of pain. Phillips saw Louis on Tuesday (May 31) and the patient called Wednesday (June 1) complaining again of pain and wanting to get additional treatment.
"This is yet another act of violence upon an American city," Franklin said. "We train for such instances as this. And I'm overwhelmed and proud of the men and women, all those that responded."
"Our training led us to take immediate action without hesitation," Franklin added.
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