By the time the ambulances were barreling down Amnicola Highway, flanked by police cars with flashing blue lights, the news already had started to ripple across Erlanger hospital.
Erlanger ICU surgeon Dr. Philip Smith, Trauma Program Manager Angela Basham-Saif and Critical Care Nurse Clinician Jana Jackson, from left, stand in front of the trauma ward at Erlanger on Tuesday where they attempted to save U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith after he was shot by Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez last Thursday.
“Heads up,” trauma program manager Angela Basham-Saif texted the hospital’s trauma surgeons and chiefs. “There is a report of an active shooter on the Army reserve base on Amnicola.”
At least one patient was likely already on his way, she added.
Inside the ambulances were U.S. Naval Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith – clinging to life – and Chattanooga Police Officer Dennis Pedigo. They were being sped from the U.S. Naval and Marine Reserve Center, where four Marines lay dead at the hand of Mohammad Youssef Abdulzeez. Another ambulance rushed from Lee Highway, carrying a Marine recruiter who had been shot in the leg.
The wailing ambulances were bound for Chattanooga’s Level 1 trauma center, which handles the region’s most serious injuries. Victims of shootings, car wrecks, and more recently, tornadoes have all ended up under the care of one of Erlanger’s specialized trauma teams, which have trained for countless injury scenarios.