Family of man accused of killing Alabama nurse sues hospital where she died

The family of a man charged in the tragic shooting death of a nurse at an Alabama hospital is now suing the medical facility, alleging that staff refused to provide him with vital psychiatric evaluation and treatment on the day of the incident.

Matthew Taylor, 41, faces charges including capital murder during a robbery, first-degree robbery, and being a person forbidden from possessing a firearm. Authorities note that Taylor was barred from owning a weapon due to a history of documented mental illness. The shooting occurred on May 12 as 27-year-old nurse Ada Doss was departing DCH Regional Medical Center.

Allegations of Negligence

A civil complaint, filed by attorney Mike Comer on behalf of Taylor’s mother, Amanda, asserts that DCH was negligent in its handling of Taylor’s condition. While court records identify the suspect as Matthew Taylor, the lawsuit identifies him as Michael Ann Taylor.

The legal filing contends that Taylor has battled severe mental disease and defects since childhood, often cycling through mental health institutions, including facilities previously managed by the DCH Healthcare Authority. According to the suit, Taylor arrived at the DCH emergency department on May 12 in the midst of an acute crisis, exhibiting clear signs of impairment and an inability to care for himself.

“Despite his obvious psychiatric distress, (DCH) refused to provide emergency screening, stabilization, treatment or admission,” the lawsuit claims, adding that defendants forced him to leave the facility without a proper evaluation.

Hospital Response and Ongoing Security

DCH officials have pushed back against these claims. In a statement released Monday, DCH spokeswoman Briana Houston stated that Taylor never officially entered the emergency department, was never registered as a patient, and never requested care from the hospital that day.

“We will allow the legal process to address the remaining facts in due course,” Houston said. Regarding the broader safety of their campus, she added, “The ongoing security enhancements we have implemented since May 12th are real, and not contingent on the outcome of any legal proceeding.”

The Tragic Incident

According to the lawsuit and prior police findings, Taylor remained on hospital grounds for several hours following his alleged rejection from the emergency department. Investigators state that Taylor, while loitering on the DCH campus, brandished a handgun and confronted Doss in the parking lot.

Criminal charges allege that Taylor followed the victim to her car while pointing the weapon at her, demanding her keys before shooting her once. He reportedly rummaged through her belongings and entered the vehicle after the shooting. Surveillance video captured much of his time on the premises, though investigators noted some gaps in the footage.

Reflecting on the loss, the DCH statement emphasized, “The loss of our colleague continues to weigh heavily on every member of our DCH family. She was a dedicated nurse and case manager who gave her professional life to caring for others.”