Detroit was shaken Friday morning when a man walked into one of the city’s busiest hospitals and fatally shot a woman believed to be his ex-wife. The shooting, which took place in the basement of Henry Ford Hospital just before 10 a.m., sent patients, staff, and visitors scrambling for safety as police armed with rifles swarmed the facility. The suspect, identified as 65-year-old Mario Green of Bloomfield Hills, fled the scene in a white Dodge Charger and remains at large, though authorities say his capture is imminent.
A Deadly Encounter in a Hospital Basement
According to Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison, the incident began with a heated argument between Green and the victim, a hospital employee. Witnesses reported raised voices before Green pulled out a handgun and fired multiple rounds at close range, killing the woman instantly. Police have described the victim as a Black woman in her 40s, though her name has not yet been released pending family notification.
The shooting prompted an immediate lockdown of Henry Ford Hospital, one of Detroit’s major medical centers. For nearly two hours, patients and staff were ordered to shelter in place as officers swept the facility floor by floor to confirm the gunman had left. By midday, the hospital had reopened, but the sense of shock remained.
The Hunt for Mario Green
Police say Green fled the scene in a 2011 white Dodge Charger with Michigan license plate DXC7067. The Michigan State Police issued an urgent warning on social media, describing him as “armed and dangerous” and advising the public not to approach him. Surveillance footage captured Green wearing all black and a gold chain as he left the hospital basement.
Chief Bettison told reporters Friday afternoon that investigators believe they are closing in on Green. “We expect to have him in custody very, very shortly,” he said. Despite this assurance, law enforcement officials are urging vigilance, stressing the risks posed by an armed fugitive with a history of violence.
A History of Violence
Court records reveal that Green is no stranger to the criminal justice system. He previously served time in prison for arson and was later placed on probation following a conviction for aggravated stalking. Authorities have suggested that his past behavior fits a troubling pattern of domestic violence. Friday’s shooting, they said, appears to have been a targeted attack against his ex-wife, rather than a random act of violence.
Hospital officials echoed that assessment. “We are devastated by the loss of our Henry Ford Hospital teammate and our hearts go out to her loved ones, her family, friends, and the people she worked with every day,” the hospital said in a statement. “Police have confirmed this was a targeted act of domestic violence.”
Chaos and Fear Inside the Hospital
For those inside Henry Ford Hospital, the morning unfolded with a sudden sense of terror. Patients and visitors found themselves trapped as alarms rang out and heavily armed officers flooded the corridors.
Mike, who was at the hospital with his girlfriend as she went into labor, described the chaos to local reporters. “I couldn’t go anywhere. Just seeing a bunch of police running with guns, it was crazy,” he said. “You don’t expect that kind of thing to happen in a hospital.”
Others recounted being huddled in patient rooms, waiting for updates as rumors spread through the building. For many, the shooting highlighted the vulnerability of public spaces, even those meant to be safe havens of care and healing.
A City Waiting for Answers
As Detroit police continue their search for Mario Green, the case underscores the deadly toll of domestic violence and the challenges of keeping even the most secure facilities safe from sudden acts of rage. For the victim’s colleagues and loved ones, Friday’s tragedy is a painful reminder that danger can come from the people closest to us.
Authorities are urging anyone with information on Green’s whereabouts to call 911 immediately. Until he is caught, an entire city remains on edge, waiting for justice to be served.
