COLLIERVILLE, TENNESSEE: A Tennessee surgeon was tragically shot and killed by a patient at the Campbell Clinic in Collierville, located southeast of Memphis. The incident occurred in an exam room around 2 pm.
According to the Collierville Police, the suspect, a patient, fatally shot the healthcare worker before being apprehended without incident outside the clinic approximately five minutes later. The suspect, who was found to be in possession of a handgun, has not yet been identified.
It was a one-on-one interaction
Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane stated “This appears to be a one-on-one interaction,” adding that the patient had been at the clinic for several hours prior to the shooting. A witness reported that the patient had been making threats at the clinic for the past week.
The victim, identified as orthopedic surgeon Dr Benjamin Mauck, was highly respected and beloved, as stated by the Campbell Clinic. Dr Mauck also worked as a surgeon at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, where he was deeply valued by his colleagues and patients.
‘We are shocked and heartbroken’
In response to the tragedy, Campbell Clinic announced the closure of its locations on July 12, with plans to announce the reopening at a later time. Law enforcement conducted thorough searches inside and outside the facility, including drone searches, to ensure the safety of all. The community is reassured that there is no ongoing threat, and officers will remain in the area for the next few days. Chief Lane commended the individuals at the Campbell Clinic for their response, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and vigilance while urging against living in fear.
"We are shocked and heartbroken to confirm the incident resulted in the tragic loss of one of our highly respected and beloved physicians, Dr Ben Mauck” the statement read. It further stated. “During this difficult time, we will be working through many details and will keep you updated as we are able”
‘Don’t live your life in fear
Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane acknowledged and praised the individuals inside the Campbell Clinic for their response to the active shooter situation. He credited their quick action and adherence to their active shooter training for their effective response.
Chief Lane emphasized, "Don’t live your life in fear. These incidents drive fear and if we sit around and think about it and worry about it. We just have to be observant, pay attention to our surroundings, do what the people at Campbell Clinic did today. When it began, they reacted the way they were trained". He reassured the community that there is no ongoing threat, providing a sense of relief and ensuring that necessary measures have been taken to ensure their safety.
