A patient suffered a nonfatal self-inflicted firearm injury in HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce on June 14, according to local authorities.
Fort Pierce police said two officers responded to a call about a patient with a gun inside the 430-bed hospital around noon, according to local news outlet Treasure Coast Newspapers. Two other officers were on site for an unrelated call. The patient shot himself as the officers attempted to speak with and calm him, police said.
Hospital staff were caring for the patient as of late afternoon on June 14. No other injuries were reported. No information is available about how the patient obtained the gun or brought it inside the hospital.
The HCA hospital shared the following statement with local NBC affiliate WPTV:
"Our security team responded immediately, no other patients or colleagues were harmed, and the hospital is operating normally. HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital has several policies and procedures to protect our patients, especially in the behavioral health unit. We are conducting an internal review to determine how to continue to enhance the safety of our colleagues and patients, above and beyond the daily security and police presence. We are providing resources, including counseling, to those who may be impacted by what they experienced today."