TERROR IN TULSA

Tulsa hospital shooting LIVE — Biden slams gun ‘carnage’ in speech & NY raises age to buy semiautomatic rifles to 21

What happened in the Tulsa, Oklahoma shooting?
Who was suspect Michael Louis?

PRESIDENT Joe Biden called for action Thursday following Wednesday's tragedy where five people, including the gunman, died in a shooting outside of an Oklahoma hospital.

In his speech, Biden called for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

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The president says that background checks and red flag laws need to increase and that the age to purchase guns should be raised to 21 years old.

“For God’s sake, how much more carnage are we willing to accept?” Biden asked.

The speech came hours before it was reported that New York lawmakers will raise the legal age to buy semiautomatic rifles from 18 to 21 and will likely pass legislation created to prevent mass shootings, according to Bloomberg.

Governor Kathy Hochul and other lawmakers said the bills are in response to the recent mass shootings across the country.

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Tulsa's massacre occurred just eight days after a mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, left 19 pupils and two teachers dead, and 18 days after a shooter killed 10 people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York.

The legislation package will go to Hochul’s desk to be signed into law. 

Read our Tulsa shooting live blog for the latest updates...

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New York to raise age to buy rifles

State lawmakers will raise the legal age to buy semiautomatic rifles from 18 to 21 and will likely pass legislation created to prevent mass shootings, Bloomberg reports.

Governor Kathy Hochul and other lawmakers said the bills are in response to the recent mass shootings across the country.

The legislation package will now go to Hochul’s desk to be signed into law. 

Biden said everyday places are ‘battlefields’

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden recently visited Uvalde, Texas, to pay their respects to the victims of the shooting at Robb Elementary.

“Standing there in that small town like so many other communities across America, I couldn’t help but think there are too many other schools, too many other everyday places, that have become killing fields – battlefields – here in America,” Biden said.

“For God’s sake, how much more carnage are we willing to accept?”

Biden visited Irma Garcia’s family

During his speech, the president said that Joe and Jill Biden met with the four orphans and the family of Irma and Joe Garcia, the hero teacher that was killed in the Uvalde shooting and her husband who “died of heartbreak” days later.

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Biden spoke about second amendment

“This is not about taking away people’s guns,” Biden said during his speech.

The President said he respects the culture and traditions of gun owners, but that the second amendment cannot be “unlimited.”

Kristin Chenoweth grieves for hometown

Actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth tweeted her shocked response to the shooting in her own hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“Stop this insanity!!!!” Chenoweth pleaded.

 

Community wears pink

Many were notably wearing pink at today’s press conference to show support for Saint Francis Hospital and the victims.

Reporter Brian Dorman said, “You will likely see a lot of pink in our community in the coming days.”

Shooting was not related to race

Based on the information police currently have, “there was nothing about race that caused this incident to take place,” said Chief Franklin.

‘There was clear motive’

“This is what he planned to do,” said Chief Franklin.

“That letter lead us and told us the story,” he said of the letter found with suspect Michael Louis.

Shooter’s niece comments on note

Suspect Michael Louis’ niece told The Daily Beast police told her he left a note explaining a motive for the attack.

“Tulsa Police called me and verified that it’s my uncle,” she told the outlet on Thursday. “We are so distraught.”

The family member declined to be named, citing the “heinous” nature of the crime.

“I don’t even want to be associated because I’m so disgusted,” she told the Beast. Officials have yet to disclose what Louis’ note said.

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Chief Wendell Franklin praised official response

“We grieve with the families after this senseless tragedy,” said Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin.

He said officers acted immediately.

“This was a coordinated effort, it was not done half hazardly."

Police recovered casings

Police recovered a total of 37 casings from both guns from the crime scene.

Police entered hospital around 5pm

Police entered the second floor of the Natalie Building at about 4.58pm and began shouting "Tulsa police."

Moments later, cops said they heard a gunshot, which they believe was the moment Louis took his own life.

When authorities entered the room, they rescued a woman who was hiding under a desk at the suspect's foot.

Officers found another victim next to the suspect and another down near a nurses' station. Dr Phillips was found dead in the exam room.

Gunman bought rifle the day of the shooting

On June 1, Michael Louis phoned Dr Phillips once again to complain about back pain and asked for more help.

That same day, Chief Franklin said Louis legally purchased an AR-15-style rifle two hours before he went to St Francis Hospital with the "intent to kill Phillips and anyone who got in the way."

The shooter's wife called police and said her husband contacted her either right before the shooting or during the shooting to let her know what he was doing, Tulsa PD said at the press conference.

The suspect also bought a semi-automatic handgun on May 29 from a local pawn shop.

'Botched' surgery

Suspect Michael Louis went into the hospital for a back surgery, which was performed by Dr Preston Phillips, on May 19.

In the weeks following the surgery, Louis called Phillips' office multiple times complaining of back pain and sought further treatment, Tulsa PD Chief Wendell Franklin said.

Dr Phillips saw the suspect for additional treatment on May 24, but the pain allegedly continued.

Gunman left shocking note

Suspect Michael Louis stormed into the Natalie Building at St Francis Hospital with "the intent to kill" his surgeon Dr Preston Phillips, police said.

Investigators revealed on Thursday that Louis left behind a note where he blamed Dr Phillips for the ongoing pain he experienced after his back surgery.

Officials have yet to disclose what Louis' note said.

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Police responded in three minutes

Three minutes after dispatchers got the call at 4.52pm, police arrived and made contact with the gunman one minute later.

Multiple individuals were injured, according to police Captain Richard Meulenberg, and the hospital complex was a “catastrophic scene,” per Cincinnati.com.

NY Governor shares statement on gun control

New York Governor Kathy Hochul released a statement about the gun control legislation that the state is passing in the wake of recent mass shootings.

"Just last night a deadly semiautomatic weapon was once again used to mercilessly kill innocent civilians, this time at a medical facility in Oklahoma," the governor began her statement.

"We cannot be satisfied by New York's already tough gun laws. Shooting after shooting makes it clear that they must be even stronger to keep New Yorkers safe.

"This comprehensive package will close loopholes, give law enforcement the tools they need to prevent easy access to guns, and stop the sale of dangerous weapons to 18-year-olds."

The governor went on to say that gun violence is a "nationwide problem" and urged Congress to take legislative action.

Saint Francis emergency fund

Tulsa Police Department shared a fundraiser for the "Saint Francis family" on Facebook.

Donations to the emergency fund can be made online or through a check.

"We are also committed to supporting the families of our caregivers who were senselessly killed," the fund's page said.

"Funds will be used to support the victim’s families and employees affected by this incomprehensible incident. 

"To be clear, we are not asking for donations, but we know that this is a generous community and people want to do something.  This is one option."

Dr Stephanie Husen's former sorority shared tribute

Dr Stephanie Husen was a sports and internal medicine specialist with the Warren Clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma, according to the Tulsa Police Department.

While she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Oklahoma, Husen was a member of the Chi Omega sorority.

The chapter shared a message on Facebook saying that she was "known and loved by so many."

"Today we mourn the loss of one of our own members of PC'92," the group wrote.

"Our hearts are with the family and loved ones who lost such an incredible woman. She was known and loved by so many and will always be remembered.

"No words could ever take away the pain of those affected, but know that we are here in full support and will continue to pray."

Dr Preston Phillips graduated from Harvard

Dr Preston Phillips, 59, was one of the doctors killed in Wednesday's massacre.

Phillips was a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who graduated Harvard Medical School in 1990, according to Tulsa police.

Dr Cliff Robertson, president and CEO of Saint Francis Health System, said that Phillips' death is "the ultimate loss for Saint Francis and for Tulsa."

Amanda Glenn had a 'servant's heart'

Amanda Dawn Glenn, 40, was the receptionist killed in the Natalie Building.

Glenn's family said she "always put everyone else first," according to Tulsa police.

The mother-of-two worked in the medical field for over 18 years.

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William Love 'sacrificed his life' for wife

Veteran William Love, 73, was the patient killed in the Tulsa shooting.

According to Love's family, he "heard the gunshots and knew his wife would not be able to escape the building on her own," per the Tulsa Police Department.

"He sacrificed his life for her."

Love is survived by his wife, his brother, daughters, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Tulsa PD honors victims with tribute

The Tulsa Police Department posted a tribute "REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS" on their Facebook page.

The post details a biography for each of the four victims, and includes a fundraiser at the end.

"In our previous post, we identified the suspect in the Active Shooter Situation on 6/1/2022 inside the Natalie Building on the Saint Francis campus," the post reads.

"In this post, we'd like to take time to honor and remember the four victims who died."

New York to raise age to buy rifles

State lawmakers will raise the legal age to buy semiautomatic rifles from 18 to 21 and will likely pass legislation created to prevent mass shootings, Bloomberg reports.

Governor Kathy Hochul and other lawmakers said the bills are in response to the recent mass shootings across the country.

The legislation package will now go to Hochul's desk to be signed into law. 

Four victims

Chief Franklin said that the victims who were not doctors "were there for medical service."

“They stood in the way and Louis gunned them down.”

The victims included two physicians, a receptionist, and a patient, according to Chief Franklin.

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