Mercy Hospital gunman threatened cadet in 2014
Juan Lopez
CHICAGO (AP) -- A man who fatally shot his ex-fiancee and two other people at a Chicago hospital had been kicked out of the city's fire department academy four years ago after threatening a female cadet.
Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Merritt said Tuesday that officials learned of the threats and told Juan Lopez he'd be disciplined. Lopez was fired after he went AWOL.
Police say Lopez fatally shot Dr. Tamara O'Neal on Monday outside Mercy Hospital. Police say O'Neal had recently called off their engagement and Lopez confronted her about returning the engagement ring.
Lopez also fatally shot a responding police officer and a pharmacy worker inside the hospital. Lopez also died in the shooting.
Merritt didn't have any details of the past threats. But they were made the same year a woman sought an order of protection against him because he was incessantly texting her. Police say they have not determined if the woman was granted an order of protection.