Dr. Jerry Umanos, a doctor from Chicago, was one of three victims in an attack at a hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday.
Umanos was killed along with a father and son, also American, who was visiting Cure Hospital, Health Minister Suriya Dalil said.
“As they were walking out of the hospital, the security guard opened fire on them, killing three and wounding another one,” an Interior Ministry official said, reported the Chicago Tribune.
Before going to Afghanistan Umanos worked at the Lawndale Christian Health Center for more than 16 years. His wife moved to Afghanistan with him.
He returned for a time to Chicago after training Afghan doctors before going back to the Middle Eastern country.
“We have lost a dear friend,” said James Brooks, chief ministry officer for the Lawndale clinic. “Our hearts are broken. Please pray for us.”
Officials condemned the attack.
This was an inhumane and brutal action, and unfortunately will impact our health services,” Dalil said.
It’s unclear why the security guard who shot the people opened fire.
Umanos is survived by his wife, Jan, and three grown children, reported NBC Chicago.
No one answered the door at Umanos’ Chicago home, where a note on the door read, “Please respect our privacy. We have nothing to say right now.”
The attacker served in the Afghan Public Protection Force and was assigned to guard the hospital, District Police Chief Hafiz Khan said. He said the man’s motive was not yet clear. The APPF is an armed security force under Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior that was created to protect foreign organizations that hire them, reported the Associated Press.
Later in the afternoon, Dalil said the shooter was recovering from the surgery before being questioned.
