Tulsa Hammer Attack Victims Update

Tulsa Hammer Attack Victims Update

Tulsa police are searching for a man suspected of brutally attacking two people with a hammer overnight. Jose Diaz, 34, is wanted for two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, according to Tulsa police officials.

Police discovered Diaz living with the victims and have accused them of committing a crime. Police believe the attack to have been an act of domestic violence.

On Twitter, Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin confirmed the shooting occurred in a medical building adjacent to Saint Francis Hospital. Officers responded shortly before 5 p.m. and quickly discovered five people deceased – including the shooter – in what authorities described as an “active shooter situation.”

Franklin informed reporters that four people died in Wednesday’s shooting were physicians and that the gunman was a receptionist at Warren Clinic Orthopedic Center. Additionally, one doctor and nurse were injured, according to Franklin.

He later identified the deceased physician as Preston Phillips, a 40-year-old orthopedic surgeon who had been employed at the clinic since 2015, according to Franklin.

Franklin said a letter found on the suspect’s body indicated his anger with Phillips for allegedly making him continue to experience back pain, according to reports. Additionally, it noted that he had “been firing at anyone who stood in his way” when he entered the hospital, according to Franklin.

Dalgleish noted that the suspect was armed with both a handgun and long gun, noting that at least two rounds had been fired from each firearm.

Tulsa police confirmed to local outlet KJRH that the suspect also had a knife. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also present, according to a spokesperson.

Tulsa police are searching for a person of interest in the attack on Thursday. The suspect is believed to have lived with the victims or may have been at a nearby residence.

Tulsa police are searching for a person of interest in the hammer attack. Homicide Sgt. David Walker reports the suspect as a White Hispanic male 30-years-old and approximately 145 pounds.

Jose Diaz is another person of interest and police say he was in the house when the attack occurred. He is wanted for two counts of assault with a hammer, though no motive has been determined.

He is accused of assaulting a man in North Park last Sunday with a hammer. Henry Rader was struck 13 times.

It is not unheard-of for transient camps to have people stealing from others, but it’s rare they would use a hammer as punishment. That is why the Tulsa Police Department is offering a reward for information leading to arrests in this case.

If you have been the victim of domestic violence, please reach out to the Tulsa Police Department. You can file an online report or call 711 to speak with a crime victim advocate.

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