Kenyan Nurse in US Celebrated for Saving Colleague's Life During Hospital Shooting, Goes Viral on X

Country: United States (Texas)
Date Published: November 29, 2025

A Kenyan nurse working in Texas has become an overnight sensation on X after heroically intervening during a hospital shooting, saving her colleague's life and shielding patients from harm. Mary Wanjiku, a 32-year-old registered nurse from Nairobi who has lived in the US for five years, was praised in a viral thread posted by her coworker @TexasMedHero on November 29, which has garnered over 250,000 likes and 50,000 retweets. The post detailed how Wanjiku tackled the shooter, a disgruntled former employee, pinning him down until police arrived, preventing further casualties at the bustling Dallas-area hospital.

The incident unfolded late on November 28 during a night shift when gunfire erupted in the emergency room, according to eyewitness accounts shared widely on X by hospital staff and first responders. Verified news account @KDFMNews broke the story early the next morning, quoting police reports that credited Wanjiku's quick thinking with saving at least three lives. Kenyan influencers like @DiasporaKenya and @KenyansAbroad amplified the narrative, with threads racking up millions of views and comments flooding in from Kenyans worldwide, dubbing her "Nurse Warrior" and calling for national honors from the Kenyan government.

Discussions on X highlighted Wanjiku's journey from humble beginnings in Kenya to her dedication in the US healthcare system, where she often works double shifts to support her family back home. Regular users shared personal stories of Kenyan nurses abroad facing burnout and discrimination, contrasting them with Wanjiku's heroism. One popular reply from @NairobiExpats read, "This is why we hustle abroad—Mary represents every Kenyan grinding in America. #ProudlyKenyan," sparking a wave of patriotic emojis and donation links for her recognition.

The story has not been without controversy, as some X users criticized the hospital's security lapses, with hashtags like #USHospitalFail trending alongside #MaryWanjikuHero. Kenyan diaspora accounts debated the risks of such frontline jobs abroad, with one thread by @KenyanDocUSA warning, "Great story, but when will we talk about the understaffing and gun violence nurses face daily?" As of December 2, Wanjiku's own X account, newly verified, posted a humble thank-you, redirecting praise to her team and vowing to continue her work. Kenyan President William Ruto's office even retweeted congratulations, fueling speculation of an upcoming award.