Memphis’ top hand surgeon, 43, is shot and killed by a PATIENT in a ‘targeted attack’

A top Memphis doctor has died after being fatally shot by a patient in what police described as a “targeted attack.”

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Benjamin Mauck was murdered in his exam room at the Campbell Clinic in Collierville, Memphis, at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Officers rushed to the scene and found the suspect on Poplar Avenue near the clinic entrance with a weapon. The shooter was arrested.

Police have yet to release the accused gunman’s name, age or potential motive.

Dr. Mauck, 43, was remembered as a phenomenal doctor. Many of his patients, who praised him as “kind, funny and smart,” said he saved their lives with his vital work.

The beloved doctor leaves behind his wife, Rhiannon Mauck, and their two young children.

Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane said: ‘It’s bad. It’s awful. It’s awful.

‘So, this appears to be a one-on-one interaction that occurred within an exam room. This was not a mass shooting situation.

In an update, the police department wrote: “The suspect in this incident is in custody while we continue to investigate. This was a single shooting, not an active shooting incident.

Dr. Mauck leaves behind his wife, Rhiannon Mauck, and their two young children.

Just five days ago, Dr. Mauck was heralded in the Memphis Magazine and by Castle Connolly National Medical Group as one of the city’s top doctors in a gushing article.

Dr Mauck told the magazine last month: ‘It’s never boring.

‘This work involves the treatment of sports injuries, trauma, cancer and soft tissue defects. It’s a field of orthopedics that intersects with other specialties like plastic surgery and neurology.’

He warned before July 4: ‘Keep your children away from fireworks.’

He worked as a hand surgeon at Campbell Clinic Orthopedics and was also director of the Congenital Hand Clinic at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Mauck graduated from Lambuth University in 2002, before attending the University of Tennessee-Memphis School of Medicine. He then completed his residency at UT-Campbell Clinic.

Irina Ollar, director of marketing and public relations for Campbell Clinic, said in a statement: “Earlier today, we experienced a single shooter event inside our Collierville clinic.

“We are shocked and heartbroken to confirm that the incident resulted in the tragic loss of one of our highly respected and beloved physicians, Dr. Ben Mauck. We ask that you please lift his family up in prayer.

The hand surgeon with his wife, Rhiannon Mauck

Officers rushed to the scene and found the suspect on Poplar Avenue near the clinic entrance with a weapon. The shooter was arrested

Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane said: ‘It’s bad. It’s horrible, it’s terrible

“During this difficult time, we will be working on many details and will keep you informed as much as possible.

‘We have decided to close all Campbell Clinic locations tomorrow, July 12 and will communicate the reopening of all facilities at a later time.

‘We are grateful to our local law enforcement officers who responded within minutes. We will continue to work closely with authorities as this remains an active investigation.

‘Our priorities continue to be faith, family and patient care. At this time, we ask for your prayers for the entire Campbell Clinic family, as well as for the privacy of Dr. Mauck’s family.

Dr. Trey Eubanks, Interim President, Surgeon-in-Chief of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, said: “We were shocked to learn that Campbell Clinic and Le Bonheur surgeon Ben Mauck tragically died today at his clinic in Collierville.”

‘Ben was a friend to many of us: a respected member of our Le Bonheur family, a beloved colleague and a dedicated physician to so many patients.

‘We miss him already.

His death is an unthinkable tragedy and I don’t know what to say. I am very sorry for those who loved him and knew him, for those who worked alongside him every day.

I am also grateful to this team, to all of you. And I encourage each of you to be kind to one another during this time. Ask for support and offer it when needed. We will all be affected by this loss in some way.

Just five days ago, Dr. Mauck was heralded in Memphis Magazine and by Castle Connolly National Medical Group as one of the city’s top doctors in a gushing article.

Dr. Mauck is pictured with his younger sister, Amanda Mauck, who posted a touching photo to celebrate her brother’s birthday two years ago.

‘We will schedule information sessions and offer spiritual care and EAP sessions.

“Please keep the entire Campbell Clinic family and especially Ben’s family in your thoughts and prayers.”

All Campbell Clinic locations will remain closed.

Dozens of tributes to the star doctor flooded social networks on Tuesday.

Kristina Austin, who studied at school with the doctor, wrote: “Every day we are bombarded with senseless loss of life, and one day it’s someone you know, someone you grew up with, who you cheered on on the basketball court, you sat down to lunch.” table in the cafeteria, she stood by the starting line, graduated with.

Someone who was always a genuinely kind person. Someone who spent years studying medicine to become a surgeon and help others. Today that someone was Ben Mauck.

‘Only 5 days ago, he was featured as a Top Physician Featured in Memphis Magazine, no one could have imagined how quickly things would change.

‘The ridiculousness of the tragedies we endure as a society now will always be beyond our comprehension because there is no reason for them. There was no reason for Ben Mauck to lose his life today.

‘Enough has to be enough. It is my greatest prayer that our world regains some kind of moral compass.

‘However, it is my prayer tonight that Mrs. Ann Mauck, the family and all those touched by Ben will be comforted by God’s unfailing love.

“We’ll never understand why, and it definitely hurts our hearts, but we can take solace in the knowledge that Ben is in the arms of the best doctor tonight.”

Pamela Griffin, one of Mauck’s patients, said: ‘I am saddened by this news. I broke my fingertip in October and Dr. Benjamin Mauck operated on my hand.

I have been visiting him every six weeks. He was really trying to help me regain full motion in my right ring finger.

I would have been seeing him next Tuesday in Collierville. He was a gentle giant with a very humble spirit. Prayers are with his family and his assistant, Mrs. Candice. Rest in love.’

Jackie Kelley, whose family was also treated by the doctor, added: “So senseless and sad. She was a very nice person and a terrific surgeon. She did my husband’s hand twice.

His former colleague Calissa Kneip said: ‘Oh my gosh, I used to work with Dr Mauck all the time for 8 years. This is so awful. He was shot to death by a disgruntled patient in an exam room today. I am in complete shock.

‘We love you, Dr. Mauck, and you helped so many people. RIP and prayers for your precious young family and my Campbell Clinic family.

Josh Jacobs, who said Dr Mauck saved his life by performing his amputation, wrote online: ‘Praying for Dr Benjamin Mauck’s friends, family and co-workers. Wishing everyone peace.

‘He was the hand surgeon who found my cancer and performed my amputation. I give him partial credit for possibly saving my life.

‘The work he did for me was incredible. This is very sad news to hear.

Mauck’s former patient, Tori Petrus Eads, wrote: ‘I am heartbroken that Dr Benjamin Mauck was murdered today! He has been my doctor for years. He was kind, smart, funny, and a great teacher.

He always used me to teach his residents how to shoot joints. We joked that the only thing more painful was hearing me talk all the time. Pray for him and his family.’

Marcie Taylor Stewart also recalled the doctor: ‘Dr. Benjamin Mauck… the sweetest, most thorough hand specialist there is. Thank you for saving my husband’s hand and his ability to practice dentistry.

‘Thank you for giving him hope with his Dupuytrens syndrome in his hands. What a loss your gifts as an orthopedic surgeon will be. What a loss for the hands that need your care.

‘Prayers for your family, friends, patients and all who love you. The loss of this wonderful man and medical professional is meaningless!!!

‘Thank you for treating your patients so well Dr. Mauck. You will be missed. Shame on the person who took you out of this world, your family and your profession that blessed so many.’