Shot Fired in Struggle Between Officer, Hospitalized Prisoner
The prisoner was receiving medical treatment in the emergency room at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Towson.
(Update 5:05 p.m.)— A shooting occurred during a Wednesday afternoon struggle between a Baltimore County police officer and a hospitalized prisoner at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson.
A gun, which belongs to the officer, was shot into a wall, according to a Baltimore County Police Department statement. There were no reported injuries.
Police said the scuffle began at around 2:34 p.m. when hospital staff found a needle hidden in the clothing of the prisoner, a man arrested for burglary.
According to the statement, the officer intervened when the prisoner grabbed a medical staff person. The officer and prisoner then reportedly fought over the officer's gun.
Police said pepper spray was also in the incident.
Other officers responded to the scene, and were able to subdue the prisoner.
The prisoner was being treated in the emergency room, according to the statement. The officer was guarding the prisoner.
The investigation is ongoing.
Stay with Patch for updates
Steve
4:35 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I am surprised the hospital even allows cops to carry firearms inside the place. They should make them lock them in their cars or provide lockers to lock them in. Think of how catastrophic this could have been.
Nicole K.
5:42 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I'm sorry, but I want police officers to carry their weapons anywhere. The story is vague, but this prisoner had a needle and may have hurt a staffer. I took my son to the ER at St. Joe's for an injury last week, and some guy came in screaming and threatening staff because they would not let him back. What if he was armed? Maybe the scuffle happened because the prisoner reached for the gun. That certainly would have been catastrophic, but police officers carry weapons for a reason, and hospitals are a place with a lot going on that could quickly escalate and require law enforcement assistance. I don't own a gun, but I'm ok with trained police officers guarding prisoners with them.
Needaname
8:27 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I too would feel safer if the cops had a gun where ever they go. I would think the prisoner would be in shackles - and handcuffs. Thank goodness no one was hurt.
Red Dolphin
9:15 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
cops need their weapons every now n then
Mquinn
7:36 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
If an officer is guarding a prisoner they should have their weapon! To make them lock it up leaves them defenseless against the prisoner! There is more to what happened yesterday. Unless we were there we should not judge the officers whose job is to protect us. The put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. I am thankful that the officer involved was not seriously hurt!
T
11:38 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
A police officer without a gun is like a landscaper without a lawnmower or a doctor without a stethoscope. They are armed to protect us because are not armed. What should not be allowed in our hospitals are prisoners!
Eric
2:05 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
I wonder how the Brits handle this kind of situation?
Steve
11:16 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
The Brits would have tazed him. The guy was handcuffed to a bed, he wasn't going anywhere.
Lablover
2:21 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
Since he apparently had a free hand he could have killed the officer and others and retrieved her handcuff keys to free himself. This guy needs to be put away for a very long time, hopefully in a very small cell. He made the choice to grab for the weapon, now he can pay for his actions!
Steve
2:46 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
You watch too much TV.
Lablover
3:32 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
Ok, maybe he wouldn't get her handcuff key but regardless he did take her weapon and somehow a shot was fired. The officer didn't start this situation the bad guy did. What do you think his intentions were when he reached for and grabbed her weapon? Did he want to escape, did he want to kill her? I still want him to live in a very small cell.
Buck Harmon
7:53 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
Perhaps the Officer was not trained properly, and should never have allowed this compromising situation to have occurred..