The lockdown occurred out of concern for the safety of the patient and others at the hospital. It was unclear for a period of time if the potentially dangerous visitor had left the hospital’s campus.
“It was a matter of trying to confirm that he was not on the campus,” Marshall Public Safety Director Rob Yant told the Marshall Independent.
Police searched the hospital and the surrounding area for about two hours until they found the subject at a nearby hotel and took him into custody, according to the report.
“We would like to extend our great appreciation to the Marshall Police Department for their swift action and thoroughness during this incident,” Mary Maertens, Avera Marshall’s president and CEO, told the Marshall Independent. “I would also like to commend our staff for following all protocols. We prepare for these scenarios regularly and the staff did a terrific job of putting those skills into action today.”
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