Alabama nurse mourned after shooting: ‘A colleague, a friend’

Leaders and employees of an Alabama hospital system say they are grieving the loss of a young nurse who was shot and killed, and have taken steps to improve security.

Ada Doss, a nurse at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, was fatally shot in the hospital’s parking lot Tuesday afternoon, authorities say. A suspect was arrested and taken into custody, with the shooting taking place after an attempted robbery, WBRC-TV reports.

Doss, who was 27 years old, was married and had two children.

Dawn Alexander, chief nursing officer for DCH Health System, and John Miller, the system’s chief medical officer, spoke about the tragedy in a video message on the health system’s website.

“We experienced an unimaginable loss here at the DCH family,” Alexander said. “One of our own ADA Doss, who was more than just an employee. She was a mom, wife, a colleague, a friend, and no one should have to experience that in their lifetime, and we are reeling and grieving and heartbroken about this loss.”

She also invited suggestions and recommendations, adding, “We want to make sure that you know our number one priority is to make sure that you feel safe.

Miller said, “We're friends and neighbors taking care of friends and neighbors. Our job is and will remain to take the very best care of our community. We feel your frustrations. We feel your anxiety.”

Since the tragedy, the DCH Health System said it was taking steps to improve security, including a greater police presence, escorts to cars, shuttle services and enhanced lighting.

Katrina Keefer, CEO of the DCH Health System, wrote a message to employees on the system’s Facebook page.

“This tragic crime was the result of a mental health crisis that could have taken place anywhere, but regretfully, it took place in our parking lot,” she wrote, “An unhealthy man did a horrific thing, and I know we all feel fear and anxiety right now.”

“We will continue to look for ways to make sure our caregivers and patients feel safe at DCH,” Keefer said in the message.

Some posting on the health system’s Facebook page, including some who said they were current or former employees, called for better security in the hospital parking lots.

Authorities said the suspect never entered the hospital or the emergency department, but surveillance cameras indicate that he loitered in the hospital’s parking lot for hours, WBRC reported. Doss was walking to her car after her shift when the suspect tried to rob her and shot her, authorities said.

The health system has made crisis counselors available to staff. An online fundraising effort has been launched to help pay for Doss’ funeral expenses.

Earlier this week, a hospital employee was stabbed in a parking lot in Texas. A Houston Methodist employee was stabbed and robbed Monday morning inside a Texas Medical Center parking garage, KTRK-TV reported.

The employee was treated and released from the hospital that day, and the hospital is adding security measures, The Houston Chronicle reports.

Last month, a Chicago police officer was fatally shot and another officer was wounded after a suspect grabbed a gun from one of the officers while being treated in the emergency department of an Endeavor Health hospital.

Hospital security experts stress the importance of engaging the input of staff members on efforts to improve safety for staff and patients. Staff members can highlight vulnerabilities and problems that may not be readily apparent, and health systems can at least send a message that safety is a top priority.

A majority of healthcare workers (59%) say they worry about safety in the workplace, according to a 2025 Harris Poll.

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