Detroit, MI — A Michigan man is facing second-degree murder charges after allegedly shooting and killing his ex-wife inside Henry Ford Hospital, where she worked, just one month after she filed for a protective order against him.
Mario Green, 53, was arrested by the Detroit Police Department (DPD) on Saturday, August 23, nearly a full day after authorities say he entered the hospital and shot Latricia Green, 49, during her shift on Friday morning, August 22.
The Fatal Encounter
According to DPD Chief Todd Bettison, Mario walked into the basement level of the hospital around 9:55 a.m. and got into a verbal altercation with Latricia before pulling out a firearm and shooting her multiple times. He then fled the scene in a 2011 white Dodge Charger, which was later found abandoned.
The hospital was briefly placed on lockdown following the incident.
By 3 a.m. the next morning, police had taken Mario into custody.
Latricia’s Repeated Pleas for Help
Latricia and Mario divorced in 2018, but her concerns about his ongoing harassment and threats continued for years. According to court records, Latricia twice sought a Personal Protection Order (PPO):
On June 13, her first request was denied by a Wayne County judge. She had written that Mario was calling her job, threatening co-workers, and trying to enter her office uninvited.
On July 20, she filed again, explaining that Mario had cut up her clothes, broken into her car, and followed her repeatedly. She said she was living in “mental distress” and was “scared not knowing what to do.”
Her request included a haunting statement:
“I am asking for help before this goes too far, and things are too late.”
This second request was granted on July 21, but was never served, meaning Mario was never legally notified or restricted under the order. DPD Assistant Chief Charles Fitzgerald confirmed the PPO was unserved, saying, “Unfortunately… it almost brings us here today.”
Community Outrage and Heartbreak
Latricia’s family and friends say the system failed her — despite her repeated efforts to get help.
“She wasn’t silent,” said Rodney Hickman, her cousin. “She was a woman crying out for help.”
Another cousin, Deantjuan Jones, told reporters the shooting was even more painful because it happened where she worked:
“She didn’t deserve what happened to her. At all.”
Her co-worker, Devin Wilford, described Latricia as a “magnificent” person — a mother, a professional, and a kind soul who meant so much to those around her.
Hospital Statement and Moving Forward
Henry Ford Hospital released a statement expressing devastation over Latricia’s death, calling her a valued teammate and ensuring support for grieving staff.
“The safety and well-being of our patients, visitors and team members is our greatest priority,” the statement said.
Legal and Systemic Questions Raised
The case has sparked widespread questions about the effectiveness of protective orders and the timeliness of their enforcement. In Michigan, a PPO can be served by certified mail, a court officer, or a third party — but in this case, none of those methods reached Mario Green in time to prevent the tragedy.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and Mario Green is expected to be formally charged in court. It is not yet known whether he has retained an attorney or entered a plea.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. Support is available 24/7 in over 170 languages.
