A heartbreaking tragedy has shaken Detroit after a woman who sought protection from her ex-husband was gunned down at the very hospital where she worked.
On Friday morning (August 22), a place meant for healing became the scene of unthinkable violence. Latricia Green, a beloved staff member at Henry Ford Hospital, was tragically shot and killed in what police say was a horrifying attack carried out by her ex-husband, 53-year-old Mario Green.
According to police sources, witnesses said Mario Green showed up claiming he was there to drop off some of Latricia’s belongings. He headed to the basement, where his ex-wife worked.
When Latricia asked him to leave, the two began arguing — until he suddenly pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots at her.
He then fled in a 2011 white Dodge Charger, sparking a massive manhunt.
Authorities warned the public that Green was “armed and dangerous,” releasing his photo and vehicle description across Michigan.
Crying out for help
What makes the story even more gut-wrenching is that Latricia had recently tried to protect herself from her ex.
Detroit Assistant Police Chief Charles Fitzgerald confirmed that Latricia had tried more than once to protect herself. Her first request for a personal protection order was denied, but she filed again in July after saying Mario Green’s behavior was getting worse.
Court documents show she reported him breaking into her car, stealing and cutting up her belongings, and even trying to smash her car window on several occasions. In her July filing, she pleaded for help: “I have tried being cordial because I feel that the system has now let me down each time that I have tried to make reports on this man. I am asking for help before this goes too far, and things are too late.”
This time, a judge agreed and granted the order, ruling that Mario posed a serious threat. But according to police, it was never served.
“It was not served on her ex-husband, so it almost brings us here today,” Fitzgerald said, according to ABC News.
Latricia’s cousin, Rodney Hickman, summed it up painfully: “We’re not sitting here gonna point the finger, but at the same time, she was a woman crying out for help.”
Another cousin, Deantjuan Jones, told WXYZ that the family is still in shock, struggling to process the reality of Latricia’s death. “She was such a sweet person. She didn’t deserve what happened to her at all,” Jones said.
Her colleagues are also heartbroken. Devin Wilford, who worked closely with Latricia, described the loss as devastating: “She was magnificent. She was more than a friend. She was a mother, she was a wife, she did her job.”
After more than 12 hours on the run, Green was captured without incident around 3 a.m. Saturday.
Bettison praised officers and the community for their efforts in tracking him down:
“Our officers worked tirelessly to get this monster off the street. I would like to thank our law enforcement partners who assisted us in apprehending Mario Green, along with the community who gave us numerous tips about the suspect. No person deserves what happened to Ms. Latricia Green and my heart and prayers go out to her family.”
Henry Ford Hospital was placed on lockdown after the shooting but has since reopened. Its parent company, Henry Ford Health, issued a statement mourning the devastating loss of their team member:
“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. We are providing resources to our team members who are dealing with the impacts of this tragic incident. The safety and well-being of our patients, visitors, and team members is our greatest priority.”