x
Breaking News
More () »

Dallas hospital shooting: Employees ran for cover as gunshots rang out in Methodist Hospital's mother-baby unit

One man had a wife and daughter working on the same floor where the shooting that left two employees dead took place. He shares what his family told him of the scene

DALLAS — Saturday morning's deadly shooting at Dallas' Methodist Hospital has left nurses, doctors and employees at the Oak Cliff facility shaken up.

Their days were spent waiting to hear from their loved ones, to get assurances that their friends and coworkers were safe. 

Police said Methodist Hospital police officer -- Sgt. Robert Rangel -- on the fourth floor where the shooting happened. They believe the officer's quick response saved lives.  

Eddie Smith's wife and daughter were feet away from the shooting. 

"They made it through, which was a blessing,” said Smith, shaking as he described how his loved ones work in the mother-baby area, right by where the shooting took place.

"She was yelling, screaming and crying," Smith said of the call he got from his daughter, alerting him to what was going on. "I asked her to calm down. She said there is an active shooter on their floor."

Sources told WFAA all the patients and hospital staff were evacuated and taken to another floor. At that point, Smith’s loved ones were separated. 

"She couldn’t find her mom, my wife," said Smith.

That's because his wife was hiding from the accused shooter, 30-year-old Nestor Hernandez.

RELATED: Who is Nestor Hernandez, the man charged with capital murder in the fatal shootings of two Methodist Hospital employees?

"She was hiding in the bathroom," said Smith. 

Meanwhile, Smith said he was doing everything in his power to get to the hospital to be with his family.

“Right at that time when it was happening, your mind is racing," he said. "I ran a few lights trying to get here."

Police said two hospital employees -- social worker Jacqueline Pokuaa, 45, and nurse Annette Flowers, 63 -- died at the scene.

RELATED: First victim identified in Methodist Hospital shooting that killed two employees 

"I still hurt for the one who lost her life," Smith said. "For all the nurses and doctors on that floor, they have to go through this, as far as thinking about it for the rest of their lives. My heart and prayers goes out to them."

WFAA spoke to a number of hospital nurses who said they knew Flowers. They said she was at retirement age and she lived for her grandkids. They described her as someone who would always take charge.  

They said they are left heartbroken by Saturday's events. 

Before You Leave, Check This Out