New court filings have revealed the heartbreaking final moments of an Alabama nurse who was killed after finishing her shift at a hospital, with the lawsuit describing how she pleaded for her life while speaking to her husband on the phone just seconds before she was fatally shot.
Ada Doss, 27, was leaving work at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa on May 12 when the attack occurred. According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by her husband, Andrew Doss, the young nurse had just completed her shift and was walking through the hospital’s south parking lot toward her car.
She was on the phone with her husband during what began as an ordinary conversation. The couple discussed their workdays, plans for dinner, and their routine for caring for their two daughters, who were just six months and two years old.
According to the lawsuit, that ordinary family conversation turned into a terrifying final call when an armed man approached Ada in the parking lot.
The complaint alleges that Andrew suddenly heard fear enter his wife’s voice.
Moments later, Ada desperately pleaded, “Please don’t, I have babies,” before the call ended with the fatal shooting.
The lawsuit describes Ada as a devoted wife, loving mother and dedicated registered nurse who had devoted her career to caring for patients at DCH Healthcare Authority.
Her husband argues that the tragedy was preventable and that multiple failures allowed the events leading to her death to unfold.
Lawsuit accuses hospital and security of failing to prevent tragedy
Andrew Doss filed the wrongful death lawsuit against DCH Healthcare Authority, Allied Universal Security Services and Matthew James Taylor, the man charged in the shooting.
According to the complaint, Taylor, 41, had been brought to the hospital’s emergency department earlier that same day by an unidentified individual because he was allegedly experiencing a manic episode.
The lawsuit claims Taylor was permitted to leave the emergency room and remained on or near the hospital campus for several hours despite allegedly behaving erratically while shirtless, shoeless and armed.
Andrew Doss alleges hospital security personnel were informed about Taylor’s condition but failed to recognize the seriousness of the situation or attempt to locate him.
The complaint alleges those failures allowed Taylor to remain on hospital property until he encountered Ada as she finished her shift.
Investigators previously told WBRC that Taylor spent hours around the medical center before the shooting.
Authorities also allege he attempted to rob another woman sitting inside her vehicle before encountering Ada.
According to investigators, Taylor then confronted the nurse, shot her, searched through her purse, took her keys and attempted to steal her vehicle before officers arrested him only a short distance from her body.
Police have said Taylor and Ada had never met before the shooting.
Taylor has been charged with capital murder and remains jailed while the criminal case moves forward.
Separate lawsuit raises questions about suspect’s treatment
The wrongful death case comes as Taylor’s mother has also filed a separate lawsuit against DCH Health Care Authority.
According to that complaint, Taylor had struggled with serious mental illness throughout his life and had previously received treatment at facilities operated by DCH.
The lawsuit alleges family members or friends brought him to the hospital on the day of the shooting seeking emergency psychiatric treatment because he was experiencing an acute mental health crisis.
It claims he was not admitted and instead remained near the hospital for hours before the fatal encounter with Ada.
The filing also alleges Taylor obtained an improperly secured firearm before the shooting, though it does not explain how he acquired the weapon.
Andrew Doss’ lawsuit argues that the combined actions of the accused gunman, the hospital and its contracted security provider ultimately led to the death of a young nurse whose final thoughts were with her husband and their two daughters.
Allied Universal Security Services told the Daily Mail it does not comment on pending litigation. The Daily Mail also reported that requests for comment were sent to attorneys representing Andrew Doss, Matthew James Taylor and DCH Health Care Authority.
The allegations made in both civil lawsuits have not been proven in court. Meanwhile, Taylor remains charged with capital murder as the criminal case and the related civil litigation continue.
