For the past two years, the healthcare industry has been on the front lines battling a pandemic but furthermore, it seems as though healthcare workers are having to worry about much more than pathogens.
As more and more people are entering hospitals as a result of guns, healthcare workers are struggling to keep up.
Not only have victims been entering physicians care but there is a rise in physicians becoming victims themselves.
Tulsa, Oklahoma – On the first of June, a gunman opened fire on the Saint Francis Hospital, killing 4 individuals before shooting himself.
One such individual was Dr. Preston Phillips, an orthopedic surgeon. He had recently performed surgery on the perpetrator – Michael Louis.
Tulsa authorities say that Louis targeted Dr. Phillips and blamed him for his persisting back pain post surgery.
Earlier this year in March, a Texas man shot and killed two dentists in their office.
On May 5th, he was indicted on a murder charge. In the state of Texas, if someone is found guilty of murder, they will either face life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
As of July 22nd, there have been a total over 24,000 gun related deaths and 357 mass shooting incidents in 2022.
From 2014 to 2021, there has been a 247% rise in mass shootings.
DR. CASTILLO:
Today, we’re discussing a horror story that occurred in the dental community that took two of our fellow dental colleagues lives.
DR. SALWAN:
On March 16th of this year, Steven Alexander Smith was being treated at Dr. Jack Burroughs and Dr. Blake Sinclair’s dental practice in Texas. Smith was reportedly unhappy with the way the procedure was going.
DR. CASTILLO:
After several complaints from the treating nursing staff, Dr’s Burroughs and Sinclair intervened and told Smith that they would no longer keep him on as a patient.
DR. SALWAN:
Smith left the building and promptly returned with a gun. The doctors attempted to force Smith out of the office but were shot and killed.
DR. CASTILLO:
Smith has been charged with capital murder. In Texas, if someone is found guilty of murder, they will either face life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
DR. SALWAN:
The question is: What could have gone differently? What if the doctors had guns to defend themselves? Or what if guns were taken out of the equation completely? Would Smith still have attacked?