SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) released the following statement regarding the fatal shooting of Officer John Bartholomew that occurred at Endeavor Swedish Hospital on Saturday, April 25:
“My family and I have been patients at Endeavor Swedish Hospital for decades, and on Saturday, I found my beloved childhood neighborhood barricaded and on lockdown due to an active shooter.
“I commend law enforcement and our local leaders for their swift action that led to the apprehension of the alleged shooter. I want to honor the life of Officer John Bartholomew. Officer Bartholomew was just 38 years old and had served with the Chicago Police Department for over a decade before his life was tragically taken.
“The weight of his loss is immeasurable, and it will be felt across our entire community. My heart goes out to the family, colleagues and communities of Officer Bartholomew and all the emergency service professionals who risk their safety every day to secure ours.
“I also want to extend my heartfelt concern, compassion and support for the doctors, providers, nurses, staff and administration of Endeavor Swedish Hospital. I work closely with Endeavor Swedish Hospital and my heart hurts for them during this unbelievably difficult time.
“As our community begins to heal, we must resist becoming numb to the normalcy of gun violence in our daily lives. I am committed to coming together as leaders to make our communities as safe as possible, and to do this in honor of lives lost and directly impacted by gun violence.”
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