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As families grieve loved ones killed in the Uvalde& Buffalo mass shootings, another mass shooting has occurred. Five people were killed inside of a medical building in Tulsa, Oklahoma yesterday, marking the 233rd mass shooting of 2022. It’s only June! More inside…
We are six months into the year 2022 and 233 mass shootings have occurred across the nation. Let that sink in for a minute.
Families and communities in Buffalo and Uvalde are literally burying their loved ones, who were killed in separate mass shootings, and another mass shooting has occurred.
This is not normal. This is incredibly fucked up.
— Laura Bassett (@LEBassett) June 1, 2022
Yesterday, four people were killed inside of a medical building in Tulsa, Oklahoma after a gunman with an assault-style rifle and handgun shot them in cold blood. According to police sources, the assault-style rifle used in the shooting was purchased the day of the mass shooting.
It’s reported a gunman - who was later found dead - opened fire on the second floor of a medical building where an orthopedic clinic is located on the campus of Saint Francis Hospital on Wednesday afternoon, killing four people. Ten people were injured and are not suffering life-threatening injuries.
Tulsa police Capt. Richard Meulenberg described the shooting as a "catastrophic scene."
The gunman - who has been identified as a black man named Michael Lewis - died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound- Tulsa Police Department Deputy Chief Eric Dalgleish said. It’s believed the gunman may have been searching for a particular physician.
Tulsa Police Chief WendellFranklin gave a press conference to detail the timeline of the shooting, sharing the names of the victims.
Dr. Preston Phillips, Dr. Stephanie Husen, Amanda Green, and William Love were killed by the gunman.
The gunman - Michael Lewis - had back surgery at the hospital on May 19th under the care of Dr. Philips. He was released from the hospital on May 24th. Since his release, Lewis called several times over several days complaining of pain and wanting additional treatment. On May 31st, Lewis went to the officer to see Dr. Philips for additional treatment.
On June 1st, Lewis called Dr. Philips' office again complaining of back pain.
It’s believed Lewis purchased the semi-automatic rifle from a local gun store on June 1st, hours before the massacre. The gunman brought the pistol used during the massacre on May 29th from a local pawn shop.
“We also have a letter on the suspect, which made it clear that he came in with the intent to kill Dr. Phillips and anyone who got in his way,” Chief Wendell said.“He blamed Dr. Phillips for the ongoing pain following the surgery.”
Tulsa police reportedly arrived on the scene minutes after the first 9-1-1 call. After arriving to the scene, the gunshots is what directed them to the second floor. Officials said the shooting lasted four or five minutes. Police responded to a call three to four minutes after dispatchers received a call saying there was a shooting at the medical building 4:52pm CST on Wednesday. Officers made contact with the gunman about five minutes later, at 5:01pm.
“This campus is sacred ground for our community,” said Mayor G.T. Bynum, who praised the response of law enforcement. “Men and women of the Tulsa Police Department did not hesitate."
Police stated the shooting had nothing to do with race.
Watch the latest updates below:
Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt issued a statement Wednesday after the mass shooting:
"What happened today in Tulsa is a senseless act of violence and hatred. Sarah and I are praying for the families of those who lost their lives and for those who were injured. I am grateful for the quick and brave actions of the Tulsa Police Department and other first responders who did their best to contain a terrible situation. I have offered Mayor G.T. Bynum any state resources that may be needed, and I ask all Oklahomans to come together in support of the Saint Francis Health System community and to grieve with those whose lives have been forever changed."
The Democrat-led House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on gun-regulation today (despite Republicans falsely claiming Dems have yet to do anything to protect schools and children). They will discuss the” Protecting Our Kids Act," what Democrats call a "common sense gun bill.”
On Thursday, June 2, at 10 AM EDT, @HouseJudiciary will markup H.R. 7910, the “Protecting Our Kids Act” which consists of commonsense strategies that together will reduce the gun violence plaguing our nation.https://t.co/9SFpQOvshX
— House Judiciary Dems (@HouseJudiciary) May 31, 2022
Let's see if this passes the Senate, or if it will be fillibustered by Republicans who would rather prevent any measures of progress simply so they can continue pointing fingers as a campaign platform.
Such a tragedy! We send our heartfelt condolences and hearts to everyone affected during this impossible time.
EXTRAS:
1. Police in Berkley arrested a 16-year-old boy for actively recruiting other high school students to participate in a mass shooting and bombing at Berkeley High School. STORY
Photos: Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP