CHICAGO – A Chicago police officer and two other people were killed by an armed man Monday at Mercy Hospital.

The shooter, who was not identified, was also killed during the incident. The other two victims were a doctor and a pharmacy technician, said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

"It is with deep sadness that we share the death of operator Samuel Jimenez following the insane incident of tonight's active shooter. Thank you for praying for your family, colleagues, and the entire #ChicagoPolice Department, "said police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.

The shooting on the south side of the city took place around 3:20 pm. It was not known immediately whether the gunman had committed suicide or whether he had been killed by the police.

The Chicago District Supreme Attorney, Cook County's Kim County Lawyer, described the violence in the hospital as senseless.

"The violence that has occurred today at Mercy Hospital is horrible," Foxx said on Twitter. "The county is mourning the victims who have lost their lives, including Samuel Jimenez, CPD officer, who made the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of others. May we raise the families of the victims and our city. "

Police Commissioner Eddie Johnson said the incident was sparked by a domestic altercation that had started outside the hospital between the gunman and a female employee. l & # 39; hospital.

An acquaintance of the woman arrived at the scene and the gunman raised his shirt, showing a handgun. The acquaintance entered the hospital and the shooter fired at the doctor, Johnson said.

Johnson said that the gunman had shot Jimenez and another policeman who had arrived at the scene before rushing to the hospital. Additional police officers arrived at the scene and hired the gunman for several minutes inside the hospital.

"During the exchange of gunfire, a female staff member was shot," said Johnson, referring to the pharmacy technician. "During this exchange, one of our officers … was also fatally wounded by the offender. During the shooting, the offender was also fatally injured. We do not know yet whether it is by the police or self-inflicted wound.

Jimenez, a father of three, joined the department in February 2016 and had just completed his probationary term.

Emanuel described it as a devastating moment for a city that has been bogged down for years by armed violence. Earlier in the day, the city celebrated the graduation of an all-new class of 88 police officers and the promotion of 275 new detectives, sergeants, lieutenants, evidence technicians and field training officers.

"The city of Chicago has lost a doctor, a pharmacy assistant and a policeman who spent their day doing what they like," Emanuel said. "These tears to the soul of our city."

Another officer was hit by a bullet in his holster during the chaotic exchange but was not seriously injured, police said.

Kevin Graham, president of the union of the College of Chicago Fraternal Police, congratulated the deceased officer.

"Today, the Brotherhood of Police lost a precious brother – a brave police officer who got up this morning, went to work and wanted to protect the city of Chicago," Graham said. . "He did just that, but he did it with his life."

Johnson said he was certain that the police's quick reaction would have saved many lives. Jimenez and his partner were not assigned to the call but still responded.

"The officers who responded today have saved a lot of lives," Johnson said.

Steven White, a patient at the hospital who was waiting for his discharge from the hospital, said the shooting had started near the entrance to the emergency room.

"It was Pow, pow, pow," said White, who was treated for dehydration at the hospital.

White said that he could see through the window people lying on the floor. The shooter fired twice at a person lying there, he said.

"You see that kind of thing on TV, but you see someone who's heart so cold," said White, "it was like he had no remorse."

The shooter ran into the building and a policeman pursued him. When passersby went to the shelter, said White, he heard the shooter fire half a dozen shots.

Pharmacist Joan Fortune said that she and her colleagues were discussing with a patient near the entrance to the emergency room when the shot went off.

A technician immediately lowered the safety shutters and blocked several employees and bystanders in their work area.

"We have heard more shots and arguments," Fortune said. "We stayed barricaded for about 30 minutes until the police (arrived) and we went back out."

Monique Hubbard, a technician at the pharmacy, said she heard several shots before she and others barricaded themselves.

"At one point, we were able to hear him shake the safety shutters," Hubbard said.

Chicago recorded 762 murders in 2016 and 650 in 2017. The city had recorded 488 murders for 2018 on Nov. 11, more than any other US city, but an 18% drop from last year.

The Mercy Hospital and Medical Center is a Catholic teaching hospital teaching hospital of 292 beds created in 1852.

Contribute: The Associated Press

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