A Chicago hospital shooting has left the gunman, police officer, a doctor and a pharmaceutical dead after the gunman stormed Mercy Hospital.
The gunman, who was in a relationship with the one of the victims, reportedly lost his life, but it is not certain if he died from police gunfire or a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson said.
Chicago Police identified the deceased officer as Samuel Jimenez, a father of three. He joined the force in February 2017 and recently completed probationary training, becoming a full-fledged officer, Johnson said. A procession was held for him Monday night.
“What I would ask is that you keep all the victims of today’s horrific incident in your thoughts and prayers,” Johnson said.
Around 3:30 p.m., the gunman approached one of the female victims — a hospital employee — in the parking lot, Johnson said.
As they started arguing, a friend of the woman attempted to intervene.
The gunman lifted his shirt and revealed a handgun, prompting the friend to flee. Two 911 calls in rapid succession reported an assault and then gunshots, Johnson said.>When officers responded to the scene, the gunman opened fire on them before they could exit their vehicle. Officers followed him into the hospital and exchanged gunfire with him, Johnson said
During the shootout, Officer Jimenez was fatally wounded along with a hospital employee as she exited an elevator.
“saved a lot of lives because we just don’t know how much damage he was prepared to do,” Johnson said of the gunman.
