Dr. Tamara E. ONeal, 38, was shot and killed on November 19, 2018, in the parking lot of Mercy Hospital in Chicago. The confrontation in the parking lot escalated when Lopez pulled a gun and shot ONeal multiple times; she managed to call 911 before collapsing.

The shooting continued inside the hospital, where another hospital employee and Chicago police officer Samuel Jimenez were also killed. Witnesses said Lopez appeared to be targeting ONeal specifically and that the couple had recently ended their engagement. Reports noted Lopez had no prior criminal record but had been expelled from the city’s firefighting academy in 2014 after threatening a female cadet.

ONeal is remembered by colleagues as a dedicated emergency physician. Her death prompted community concern about domestic violence, workplace safety, and how troubling behavior is identified and addressed. If anyone knew Dr. ONeal or has information about the events that day, please share what you remember.