Gunman Kills 1, Wounds 6 Others Before Killing Himself in Bronx Hospital
Another day, another mass shooting. When will Congress have the courage to find an end to these gun massacres?
At approximately 3pm EST, tragedy struck New York's Bronx Lebanon Hospital. A gunman entered the busy hospital, shot and killed one doctor, severely wounded six others, and eventually killed himself after failing to set himself on fire. The self torching attempt was thwarted by the hospital's sprinkler system. Dr. Henry Bello was identified as the gunman. Bello is described by hospital staff as a disgruntled former employee.
New York Police Commissioner James O'Neill briefed the press following the shooting. O'Neill informed reporters that the shooter wore a white lab coat and hid an AR-15 assault style rifle under the coat, as he entered the hospital. The gunman's victims were found on the 16th and 17th floors of the hospital. A female doctor was found dead on the 17th floor, with the other victims found on the 16th.
Also shared by O'Neill, the shooter was 'a former employee of the hospital.' Although O'Neill was careful not to implicate the shooter by name, sources later revealed the gunman was Dr. Henry Bello. Bello is a former employee that was forced to resign for allegedly violating the hospital sexual harassment policy.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio made a shameful statement after the shooting during a press briefing held in front of the hospital. Mayor de Blasio downplayed the impact of gun violence when he stated, "thank God this was not an act of terrorism. It was an isolated incident, it appears to be a workplace related matter." Act of terror or not, gun violence is an epidemic that plagues every U.S. citizen, daily. Most people in this country either know a victim or survivor of gun violence. Claiming this particular gun tragedy is worthy of thanks because it was not an 'act of terror' diminishes the experiences of victims and survivors.
As of 7pm EST, the other six victims of the tragedy were alive. As more witnesses are interviewed and hospital reports are released, this information may change.
