(1) These three beautiful people were murdered today at Mercy Hospital Chicago. I will tell you a little about them, what happened, and why it was not about guns, or Chicago, or politics. It was about #DomesticViolence.
Rest in peace.
🇺🇸
Rest in peace.
🇺🇸
(2) The woman in the middle was 28yo Dr Tamara Neal MD, who worked in the ER. Her ex-fiance was the murderer.
25yo pharmacist Dayna Less walked out of an elevator at the wrong time.
32yo Officer Samuel Jimenez, a married father of three, helped save many lives.
25yo pharmacist Dayna Less walked out of an elevator at the wrong time.
32yo Officer Samuel Jimenez, a married father of three, helped save many lives.
(4) I often write threads about shootings and similar events. Like you, I try to get the facts, not the spin. Those who knew the victims can't bring them back, and very little can be done to ease their pain.
Trying to prevent similar tragedies is the least we can do.
Trying to prevent similar tragedies is the least we can do.
(5) I believe that most mass shooting incidents are caused by domestic violence, workplace violence, or interpersonal violence. The other causes make up smaller proportions of the total, yet garner the most attention.
Domestic violence usually spills over into the workplace.
Domestic violence usually spills over into the workplace.
(6) In the coming days we will learn the murderer's name and a bit more about him.
Regardless, we already know the two had been engaged & then it was broken off. That's usually done by the person who was later murdered. Most of us can accept rejection without getting violent.
Regardless, we already know the two had been engaged & then it was broken off. That's usually done by the person who was later murdered. Most of us can accept rejection without getting violent.
(7) We know the Police worked to secure the first floor AND the nursery on the third floor.
It's possible Dr O'Neal's child or children were in the nursery. Domestic violence killers often go after the kids. If she didn't have kids, perhaps someone heard a threat & reported it.
It's possible Dr O'Neal's child or children were in the nursery. Domestic violence killers often go after the kids. If she didn't have kids, perhaps someone heard a threat & reported it.
(8) Tragically, most people killed by an ex-partner underestimated the danger & didn't take enough precautions. The reasons are complex but it's a feature of domestic violence worldwide.
A restraining order is just a piece of paper. Helpful, but not enough.
A restraining order is just a piece of paper. Helpful, but not enough.
(9) Professionals advising a person who is ending a relationship with a domestic abuser always recommend assessing risk and, if necessary, going into hiding, or taking other measures, no matter how inconvenient.
It's possible that this came out of the blue for her, though.
It's possible that this came out of the blue for her, though.
(10) The Tribune article says the two were seen arguing at around 3pm. That may have been the end of her shift; It's a common time for shift change in hospitals.
Just providing security for certain employees & their vehicles at this time would probably reduce a lot of deaths.
Just providing security for certain employees & their vehicles at this time would probably reduce a lot of deaths.
(11) I will never understand why hospitals aren't secured like airports. I wish the industry would lift their game on this issue. Patients & visitors are incredibly vulnerable, and warrant more effective security. Staff are often targeted or caught up in violence.
(12), Sorry, just noticed an error in tweet (2): Officer Jimenez was 28 not 32.
(13) Eyewitness reports can be inaccurate but these ones seem quite consistent with each other & with Police-issued information.
This guy took a call at 1pm from the man who would later arrive and target Dr O'Neal:
This guy took a call at 1pm from the man who would later arrive and target Dr O'Neal:
(14) Another important clue is that the killer and Dr O'Neal were seen "walking and talking" before things escalated. Perhaps he had waited outside the hospital door at the time her shift ended. If she sensed danger she would not have continued on toward her parked car.
(15) This excerpt says a lot. Here's what happens when a bystander knows about guns and shootings... probably from living in "the neighborhood." Kept a cool head and helped others. Situational awareness is so important.
(16) How to tackle domestic violence? Wew, big topic. I think the two most important things we can do are:
>Educate potential victims better
>Support LEOs & enable them to do their job without getting in their way.
>Educate potential victims better
>Support LEOs & enable them to do their job without getting in their way.
(17) As someone who has been on the receiving end of domestic violence, I wish I knew then what I know now.
If I'd had the knowledge & will to kick him to the curb sooner, & not go back, I'd have avoided a lot of trouble.
Thankfully it didn't spill over to the workplace much,
If I'd had the knowledge & will to kick him to the curb sooner, & not go back, I'd have avoided a lot of trouble.
Thankfully it didn't spill over to the workplace much,
(18) Education is key. We can't force victims to stand up to domestic violence, but the least we can do is try to show them what we know, either from experience or listening to others. So many people have low self esteem, esp. women. It's a big part of it. They target them.
(19) Empowering & supporting LEOs is absolutely necessary.
The Mercy Hospital tragedy could happen anywhere. By coincidence, it happened in the city that has drawn a lot of attention to its policing practices.
We can't tackle domestic violence without backing Police.
The Mercy Hospital tragedy could happen anywhere. By coincidence, it happened in the city that has drawn a lot of attention to its policing practices.
We can't tackle domestic violence without backing Police.
(20) These three tweets explain what I'm talking about.
Chicago is at a crossroads, that will affect the whole of the USA. Something like 40% of policing is domestic violence related.
Chicago is at a crossroads, that will affect the whole of the USA. Something like 40% of policing is domestic violence related.
(21) It's an abdication of responsibility to treat domestic violence as solely a matter for the individuals directly involved.
Bystanders, children, & cops get killed. We can help the abused woman or man to make better decisions to be safe & reduce the risk to others.
Bystanders, children, & cops get killed. We can help the abused woman or man to make better decisions to be safe & reduce the risk to others.
(22) Talk to those around you who may become victimized, such as your kids, friends and family. Be the kind of active listener who they will trust to talk to. Don't offer advice necessarily; ask questions first. Show them you will be there. Help them build self esteem. Be a hero.
