Two Nurses Shot and Killed in Dallas Hospital
Unfortunately, violence in healthcare is becoming all too frequent in the United States. Now, another tragedy has shocked the healthcare industry.
Just after 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 22, 2022, a man opened fire inside the Methodist Dallas Medical Center, located at 1441 North Beckley Avenue in Dallas, Texas.
According to reports, a male entered the hospital with a gun and began shooting. Two nurses were killed during the incident. The two nurses have not been identified at this time, but reports indicate they were both maternity ward nurses. The names of the nurses has not been released at this time.
The gunman has been identified as 30-year-old Nestor Hernandez. He was currently wearing an active ankle monitor and on parole for aggravated robbery. Hernandez was shot once on scene and taken into custody. His condition was stabilized at a nearby hospital, and he was booked on capital murder charges.
Dallas police chief Eddie Garcia called the shooting "an abhorrent failure of our criminal justice system,” and further commented that he is "outraged along with our community, at the lack of accountability, and the travesty of the fact that under this broke system, we give violent criminals more chances, than our victims."
The motive for the shooting has not been released at this time. This is currently an ongoing investigation.
Statement From Methodist Health System
The Methodist Health System issued the below statement in response to the tragedy.
“The Methodist Health System Family is heartbroken at the loss of two of our beloved team members. Our entire organization is grieving this unimaginable tragedy. During this devastating time, we want to ensure our patients, physicians, employees, and community that Methodist Dallas Medical Center is safe, and there is no ongoing threat. Our prayers are with our lost co-workers and their families, as well as our entire Methodist family. We appreciate the community’s support during this difficult time.”
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Healthcare Violence Is Becoming An Epidemic
Attacks on healthcare workers are becoming all too prevalent in the United States. A recent study shows two nurses are assaulted every hour!
This incident comes just four days after a nurse practitioner was stabbed to death in North Carolina by a patient.
On October 3, a man attacked several newborns in a hospital in Odessa, Texas. However, nurses and respiratory therapists were able to successfully intervene until police arrived on the scene.
These represent just three incidents in October alone! As more information about the tragedy in Dallas becomes available - Nurse.Org will be there to highlight the lives of two nurses lost to senseless tragedy.
