Afghan Hospital Guard Kills Three Including American Doctor, Father And Son In Kabul
The work day began as any other for three Americans in Kabul, but a hospital guard had other ideas when he opened fire killing them and wounding a nurse at the Cure International Hospital.
A pediatrician, who had worked at the west side health clinic for seven-years was among those killed by the Afghan guard at the hospital funded by a US Christian charity.
Health Minister Suriya Dalil, said that Dr. Jerry Umanos, of Chicago, was killed along with a father and son visiting the Cure Hospital, which specializes in children and mother’s health.
A security guard has killed three Americans working at a children's hospital in Afghanistan: http://t.co/4Ac7aZw1jN pic.twitter.com/qx5B5ptQ39
— The Sun Newsdesk (@SunNewsdesk) April 24, 2014
Dalil also said that an American nurse was also wounded in the attack at the Afghan hospital:
“A child specialist doctor who was working in this hospital for the last seven years for the people of Afghanistan was killed and also two others who were here to meet him, and they were also American nationals, were killed. The two visitors were father and son, and a woman who was also in the visiting group was wounded.”
3 American workers killed in Afghan hospital: pic.twitter.com/B1nPym1fH1
— KY3 News (@kytv) April 24, 2014
District Police Chief Hafiz Khan said the attacker was a member of the Afghan Public Protection Force assigned to guard the hospital and the motive for the shooting is unclear at this time.
The Afghan hospital guard was also wounded in the scuffle that ensued following the attack and was recovering from surgery at the same facility, according to Kanishka Bektash Torkystani, a Ministry of Health spokesman, who added:
“Five doctors had entered the compound of the hospital and were walking toward the building when the guard opened fire on them. Three foreign doctors were killed.”
A report in the Chicago Tribune says that Dr. Umanos had worked for Lawndale Christian Health Center for more than 16 years, when he and his wife decided to move to Kabul, where he worked at a health center and a children’s hospital in the city helping to train local physicians.
The Afghan hospital guard attack is one of a rising numbers against foreigners in Kabul this year and is worrisome for the US and its allies, as troops prepare to withdraw from the country. No claims of responsibility has been made.
[Image via Fox 32 News/Twitter]
