Recently discharged patient shoots officer at Georgia hospital

A sheriff's deputy was injured Sunday in a shootout with a recently discharged patient at Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin, Ga.

During a news conference Sunday night, Dublin Police Chief Tim Chatman said police received a report around 9 p.m. of an armed man on Fairview Park Hospital's campus, according to WMAZ-TV. When officers approached the suspect, he opened fire, leaving a sheriff's deputy with a gunshot wound in his lower leg, said Mr. Chatman, according to the report. 

Police returned fire and were able to take the suspect, who has been identified as Akeem Woodward, into custody. Mr. Woodward, who wasn't injured in the incident, is being held at the Laurens County jail, according to the report.

The injured deputy was treated at the hospital and is in stable condition.

Police Chief Chatman said the motive in the case is unclear. He said Mr. Woodward was treated overnight at Fairview Park Hospital on Thursday for undisclosed reasons, and authorities aren't sure why he came back to the hospital with a gun, according to WMAZ-TV.

In a Facebook post early Monday morning, Fairview Park officials expressed gratitude to those who responded to the incident. "Many thanks to the Dublin Police and our community partners for their help last night. We are so proud of our team and grateful that our employees, patients and guests are safe."

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