On November 19, 2018, a shooting at Mercy Hospital & Medical Center in Chicago resulted in four fatalities, including a police officer, a doctor, a pharmacy resident, and the gunman. The event caused significant panic, led to the evacuation of parts of the hospital, and involved over 200 patients and numerous staff members.
Amiel summarizes the epidemiological context of gun violence in the United States and Illinois leading up to the shooting. Moreover, the author makes note of the communication efforts by local media as well as the hospital, attributing them to both bringing clarity and confusion in alternative instances.