While the terrorist attack on a welfare center in San Bernardino, Southern California, has triggered a new wave of Islamophobia and Middle Eastern phobia among Republican politicians in the United States, the special police team of the city owes its assistance to an Iranian-American doctor who was present at the shooting scene and helped the shooting victims. Dr. Michael Niki, an emergency physician working at the 'Arrowhead' medical center in Colton, near Los Angeles, specializes in treating wounds that occur in special wartime conditions. The extent of injuries from shootings carried out with military weapons is much more severe than those from ordinary firearms. Therefore, expertise beyond the skill of managing wounds caused by handgun bullets is required to save the lives of victims in such incidents. Dr. Michael Niki is one of the few doctors skilled in treating these types of wounds. He entered the shooting scene to treat the injured members of the special police team and stated at a conference held on Monday, 'They (the police) go in front of the bullet to save my life, and I pull these bullets out of their bodies.' He added, 'It is an honor for me to be a doctor in this country.' Although members of the special police team are trained to provide first aid to rescue the injured in shooting incidents, in events like the Paris incident or the San Bernardino incident, attackers are equipped with military weapons, and first aid is not sufficient to save the lives of the injured. On the day of the incident, Dr. Niki rushed to the scene in his personal vehicle, which contained special tactical equipment, as soon as he heard the news of the shooting. When he arrived at the welfare center, the shooting between Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik (the husband and wife perpetrators of the shooting) and the police was still ongoing. According to CNN, Dr. Niki heard about the shooting on the radio and arrived at the scene even before the special police force. He immediately donned special clothing and a vest and entered the center to assist the injured. Armed, he joined the police team and helped in the hostage rescue operation. He was one of the few allowed to approach the scene of the incident. Fox News reports that he is also a member of the 'Inland Valley' police special forces. The FBI has announced that the shooting on Wednesday, December 2, in California, which left 14 dead, is considered a 'terrorist act.'
An Iranian-American Doctor Who Alone Went to Help the Injured in San Bernardino
Dr. Michael Niki, an Iranian-American emergency physician, provided critical assistance to victims during the San Bernardino shooting, showcasing his expertise in treating severe military-style wounds. His actions highlight the challenges faced by first responders in active shooter situations, especially when dealing with military-grade weaponry. This incident underscores the ongoing issues of violence and Islamophobia in the U.S.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Dr. Michael Niki, an Iranian-American doctor, provided crucial medical assistance during the San Bernardino shooting, treating victims with severe injuries caused by military-grade weapons.
- Dr. Niki specializes in treating wartime injuries and was present at the scene to assist.
- The shooting was classified as a terrorist act by the FBI, resulting in 14 deaths.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The San Bernardino shooting was a significant terrorist attack in the U.S., raising issues of security, Islamophobia, and the role of immigrants in American society.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%