PRESIDENT Joe Biden delivers remarks tonight following Wednesday’s tragedy where five people, including the gunman, died in a shooting outside of an Oklahoma hospital.
Biden will likely discuss multiple recent shootings, as the statement from the White House says that he will talk about “the recent tragic mass shootings, and the need for Congress to act to pass commonsense laws to combat the epidemic of gun violence that is taking lives.”
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.
Police confirmed that the suspect in Tulsa’s shooting, who was identified at a press conference as Michael Louis, likely turned the weapon on himself.
Councilor Jayme Fowler told reporters that the gunman was looking for a “Dr Phillips.” It remains unknown if the doctor was among the four victims as investigations continue.
Tonight’s speech will be live-streamed on YouTube.
Read our Tulsa shooting live blog for the latest updates…
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‘Enough’
Biden says America needs to keep assault weapons out of the hands of murderers.
He said that parents at Uvalde had to identify children with DNA swabs.
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Biden calls to ban assault weapons
“If we can’t ban assault weapons, we should raise the age to purchase them from 18 to 21.”
Biden says that America should increase background checks.
He calls for reinstating the ban on assault weapons.
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Biden speaks about second amendment
“This is not about taking away people’s guns,” Biden said.
The President said he respects the culture and traditions of gun owners, but that the second amendment cannot be “unlimited.”
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Biden spent ‘hours’ honoring victims
Biden said on Memorial Day he memorialized veterans at Arlington National Cemetary.
The day before, he had visited Uvalde to honor the victims of the recent shooting at Robb Elementary School.
He said that families of victims told him to “do something.”
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Biden speaking NOW
The President’s speech can be live-streamed on YouTube.
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‘Fired at anyone that was in his way’
The chief said there are accounts that “one of the victims held the door for someone to allow them to escape, and was shot and killed,” said Franklin.
“Amanda was a victim and she was the receptionist,” he also clarified.
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Biden to deliver remarks
The President will make a speech about the recent mass shootings at 7.30pm tonight, per the White House.
Biden will also speak about “the need for Congress to act to pass commonsense laws to combat the epidemic of gun violence that is taking lives,” the announcement says.
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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.
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NJ Gov calls for gun legislation
New Jersey Gov Phil Murphy issued a tweet, calling on Congress to pass gun safety legislation.
“Another day, another mass shooting in America – this time in Tulsa,” he wrote. “Our hearts break for the victims.”
“We don’t have to live like this. It’s time for Congress to pass nationwide gun safety legislation and for the Legislature to pass our sweeping gun safety bill package.”
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Tops supermarket shooting
On May 14, 2022, shots were fired at a supermarket in upstate New York.
At least 10 people were killed and three were injured, according to officials.
Two of the injured were initially in critical condition.
The alleged gunman was 18-year-old, Payton Gendron.
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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.”
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Bomb threat and shooting connected
According to Muskogee officer Lynn Hamlin, the shooting at the hospital and the bomb threat in Muskogee are connected.
A reporter on Twitter wrote: “TPD contacted Muskogee PD after the shooting in Tulsa saying it was possible that the shooter planted a bomb at a home in Muskogee.”
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Bomb threat in Muskogee
On Wednesday afternoon, Muskogee police are investigating a bomb threat made at a property on Park Place North, according to KJRH.
Muskogee police say they received a report about a suspected bomb from Tulsa cops.
Residents in the neighborhood are being asked to seek shelter, and everyone else is being asked to stay away from the Country Club area.
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Shooting happened in orthopedic office
Tulsa Police Chief Eric Dalgleish said that the scene was mostly limited to one section of the second floor of the hospital.
At least part of the scene was in an orthopedic office on that level, Dalgleish said.
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Photos of doctor victims
Two of the victims in the Tulsa shooting were doctors at Saint Francis.
Police identified them as Dr. Preston Phillips and Dr. Stephanie Husen.
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Suspect photo
Michael Louis has been identified by authorities as the suspect behind the deadly shooting at St Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Police have named Michael Louis as the suspect behind Wednesday’s deadly shooting at St Francis Hospital in OklahomaCredit: Tulsa Police DepartmentCredit: Tulsa Police Department -
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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Suspect had recent back surgery
The alleged gunman had recently undergone back surgery, according to Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin.
He reportedly called the clinic complaining of pain following the procedure.
Victim Preston Phillips was the doctor who performed that surgery.
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‘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.
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Guns were legally purchased
“One was purchased an hour and some change before the shooting took place,” explained Chief Franklin.
“And the other was purchased three days before the shooting took place.”
Chief Franklin also confirmed that based on the information officials have, both guns were purchased legally.
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‘Nothing about race’
Based on the information police currently have, “there was nothing about race that caused this incident to take place,” said Chief Franklin.
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Wife of suspect called police
“The information that we currently have is that she did not know what was going to take place, but he contacted her… to let her know what he had done,” said Chief Franklin.
It is not yet clear if the shooter contacted his wife before or during the rampage.
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Additional wounded patients
There were additional wounded patients.
However, they were all treated and released, according to hospital officials.
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Victim likely held door closed
Police Chief Franklin said he cannot confirm which victim held the door open for people to escape.
However, he said he believes that it was the patient victim who held a door closed.
