[SIZE=7]Police release names, the motivation behind Tulsa medical center shooting[/SIZE]
TULSA, Okla. —
Four victims were shot and killed during an active shooter situation Wednesday afternoon at a medical facility in Tulsa.
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Michael Louis killed four people, including Dr. Preston Phillips.Tulsa Police Department
Tulsa police said a gunman charged into the second floor of the Natalie Building at St. Francis Hospital at 4:52 p.m. Wednesday, opening fire and killing four victims. Police also said the suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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Police said Dr. Preston Phillips was intentionally targeted by gunman Michael Louis
The Tulsa Police Department identified the victims as Dr. Preston Phillips, Dr. Stephanie Husen, Amanda Glenn and William Love. They also identified the suspect as Michael Louis.
Tulsa police Chief Wendell Franklin said during a news conference Thursday that Louis underwent back surgery performed by Phillips on May 19 and complained of pain after being released from the hospital. Louis contacted Phillips’ office several times over the coming weeks and met with Phillips for additional help.
On May 29, Louis bought a semi-automatic handgun at a pawn show, according to Tulsa police. He also bought an AR-15-style rifle around 2 p.m. from a Tulsa-area gun store.
Police said officers found a letter on Louis making it clear that he wanted to kill Phillips and anyone who got in his way. He blamed Phillips for causing the pain following the back surgery.
A webpage on Saint Francis’ website identified Phillips as a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in spinal surgery and joint reconstruction.
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 blamed Dr. Phillips for the ongoing pain following the surgery,” Franklin told reporters.
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Amanda Green was among those killed by the Tulsa gunman
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Dr. Stephanie J. Husen.
In addition to Phillips, Franklin identified Wednesday’s shooting victims as Dr. Stephanie J. Husen, receptionist Amanda Glenn and William Love, who was a patient at the clinic.
“They stood in the way and Louis gunned them down,” Tulsa’s top cop said. “He began firing at anyone who was in his way.”
Louis took his own life following the rampage, authorities 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.
Investigators on Thursday were looking into whether police had any prior contact with Louis.
A woman who lives just a few doors away from Louis, his wife, and their teen daughter in Muskogee told The Post the family had been in the neighborhood for roughly five years.
Louis’ wife, whom the neighbor identified as Dr. Edith Lubin, and her daughter are “church-going religious people,” according to the neighbor who requested that her name not be published.
“But I’ve never spoken to him,” the woman said of Louis. “They’ve been quiet, good neighbors.”
Several healthcare-related websites identified Dr. Lubin as a family medicine physician in Muskogee. Attempts to reach her were unsuccessful.
Cops arrived at the hospital campus about three minutes after dispatchers were called for an active shooter and made contact with Louis at 5:01 p.m., Tulsa police Deputy Chief Eric Dalgleish told reporters Wednesday.
In a touching tribute posted early Thursday, a colleague who went on medical missions with Phillips to Africa said the late doctor was an inspiration to him.
“Dr. Phillips, I thought we were preparing to go on a surgical mission in Togo, but I found out yesterday during a shooting at work that a gunman took you away from me, our mission team, your family, your patients and the Togolese people,” Dr. Komi Folly posted on Facebook.
Phillips “always” called Folly his son — and the younger doctor considered his elder counterpart to be like a father figure.
https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/tulsa-medical-shooting-03.jpg?w=1024Emergency personnel responds to a shooting at the Natalie Medical Building Wednesday, June 1, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla.Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP
“You told me last week at work during lunchtime to not stop this project in Togo in case something happens to you,” Folly’s post continued. “I did not know that you were giving me the last advice for our journey.”
Folly is the founder and executive president of the nonprofit Light in the World Development Foundation, which seeks to provide education and health care in Togo, a country of 8.6 million where more than 55% of people live in poverty.
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DG Kevin, Dr. Komi Folly & Linda Ortega. Dr. Folly is a doctor at St. Francis Hospital and a Tulsa Sunrise Rotarian.
He has personally funded the shipping costs for several containers of medical supplies to Togo, Africa!
Folly currently works as an attending physician at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, according to the group’s website.
“I am so sad to see you go without a goodbye,” Folly’s post concluded.
“Your work will continue. You will be missed. I love you. See you in heaven one day.”