Woman charged after shots fired inside South Carolina hospital

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Officials in Aiken, S.C., have charged a woman in connection with shots fired inside Aiken Regional Medical Centers the night of Aug. 25. No one was injured, according to local news outlets and the hospital.

Officers with the Aiken Department of Public Safety responded to a report of a possible shooting at the hospital at 8:24 p.m., according to The State, which cited a department news release. Officers located 39-year-old Celeste Martin and arrested her in connection with the shooting, the news outlet reported. 

Ms. Martin was taken to the Aiken County Detention Center and charged with aggravated breach of peace, according to The State. No bond had been set, and she could face additional charges as the investigation continues.

After Ms. Martin was secured, officers searched the hospital twice and found no victims and no injuries, the report said. Authorities did not disclose a motive. 

In a statement to Becker’s, Aiken Regional confirmed the shooting and said it went on a temporary lockdown. 

“An incident occurred late yesterday at Aiken Regional Medical Centers whereby an individual fired shots inside the facility,” said Ashlee Senter, the hospital’s director of marketing. “First and foremost, all patients, guests and staff were and are safe.”

The hospital, part of King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services, lifted its lockdown shortly after 11 p.m. and is “fully open and operational, with no scheduling changes to appointments or elective procedures,” Ms. Senter said. She added that Aiken Regional is committed to safety and “fully cooperating with local law enforcement as they investigate.”

Becker’s has reached out to Aiken’s police department and will update this article should more information become available. 

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