Police said the standoff began as a high-speed chase, with the suspect — Matthew J. Mathern — eventually stopping at the hospital. Mr. Mathern, 30, allegedly entered the facility around 7:30 a.m. with a gun, prompting the 25-bed hospital to enter lockdown.
Authorities said Mr. Mathern proceeded to hold the child hostage at the facility, but police were able to negotiate his release. Mr. Mathern peacefully surrendered and was arrested shortly after.
The hospital said in a statement to Becker’s Hospital Review June 26 none of the 35 staff members or six patients at the hospital at the time were harmed during the incident.
A prosecutor said June 25 Mr. Mathern allegedly had two weapons, a loaded handgun he brought inside the hospital and an AK-47 assault rifle with approximately 60 rounds in his vehicle in the hospital’s parking lot.
The prosecutor did not comment on Mr. Mathern’s possible relationship with the child. Authorities said some likely charges against him include aggravated assault, eluding, kidnapping and simple assault, among others. No charges had been filed against him as of June 25, KSFY reports.
The hospital remained closed for the day, police said.
Editor’s note: This article was updated at 11:45 a.m. June 26 to include additional information from Community Memorial Hospital Avera.
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