Spine surgeon killed in Oklahoma hospital shooting

Spine

Police in Tulsa, Okla., on June 2 said a spine surgeon was targeted and killed in a mass shooting at Saint Francis Health System.

Preston Phillips, MD, was fatally shot in the June 1 attack that left five people dead and multiple people injured, Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin said in a June 2 press conference. Dr. Phillips' practice focused on spine and joint surgery, according to the hospital's website.

Dr. Phillips performed back surgery on the suspected shooter, Michael Louis, on May 19, Mr. Franklin said. The suspect allegedly called the clinic multiple times in the following days after he was released saying he had pain and wanted additional treatment.

Investigators recovered a letter from Mr. Louis making it clear he came to the hospital with the "intent to kill Dr. Phillips and anyone who got in his way," Mr. Franklin said. The letter blamed Dr. Phillips for ongoing pain, Mr. Franklin said. 

Mr. Louis bought a semiautomatic rifle and a pistol within the day before the shooting, police said. He killed four people before dying of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, CBS reported. Sports medicine physician Stephanie Husen, DO, was among those fatally shot.

Note: This article was updated June 2.

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