Roommates, we ask that you continue to keep the city of Chicago in your prayers. Yesterday, we reported about the shooting that took place at Chicago’s Mercy Hospital. At the time, it was reported that four people were shot and two fatalities were confirmed, including the suspected shooter.
According to NBC Chicago, the shooting claimed the lives of a Chicago police officer, doctor, and pharmacist.
Late Monday, Anthony Guglielmi, a police spokesman tweeted, “It’s with profound sadness that we share the death of PO Samuel Jimenez from tonight’s senseless active shooter incident. Please pray for his family, his fellow officers & the entire #ChicagoPolice Department.”
The doctor was identified as 38-year-old Dr. Tamara O’Neal, and authorities identified the pharmacist as 24-year-old Dr. Dayna Less, who was engaged to be married to her high school sweetheart in June. Both doctors were graduates of Purdue University.
Chicago police Supt. Eddie Johnson said the shooting began around 3:28pm in the hospital’s parking lot and continued in the hospital’s lobby.
According to police, the shooter was identified as 32-year-old Juan Lopez, who was said to be in a domestic relationship with Dr. O’Neal.
According to the hospital, O’Neal was leaving after her shift, when Johnson said she and Lopez got into an argument in the parking lot. A friend reportedly tried to get involved but fled inside the hospital once Lopez displayed his gun by lifting his shirt.
Witnesses say they saw Lopez shoot O’Neal at least six times while still standing in the parking lot. When police arrived, Lopez shot at them before they were able to exit their vehicles, and then ran into the hospital.
Inside the hospital, Lopez and the police engaged in an exchange of gunfire. During the exchange, Dr. Less was exiting an elevator when she was fatally shot. Officer Jimenez was also hit during the exchange. He was taken to the University of Chicago Hospital in critical condition but unfortunately passed from his wounds.
According to ABC 7 Chicago, O’Neal was engaged to the shooter for about a year before calling off the wedding in September.
Mercy Hospital officials said that it held its first active shooter drill a month prior to the shooting.
As of Tuesday, the incident still remains under investigation.
We continue to send our prayers to those involved in this shooting.
Sources: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/mercy-hospital-chicago-shooting-500905251.html
https://abc7chicago.com/mercy-hospital-shooting-mourning-3-innocent-victims/4724378/
