Man charged after shootout with security officer in SC emergency room
CLINTON, S.C. April 13 2019
A man has been arrested and charged in connection with a shooting in the Prisma Health Laurens County Hospital emergency room Thursday morning that injured him and a Greenville Health Authority police officer, SLED officials said.
Kevin Boyce Patterson, 27, was charged with attempted murder, kidnapping and pointing and presenting a firearm, SLED officials said.
According to arrest warrants, Patterson dragged his father at gunpoint while at the hospital. Warrants said Patterson forcefully moved his father across the waiting are of the emergency department before releasing him near the door which was shown by video surveillance.
Patterson was released from the hospital and booked into the Laurens County Detention Center, SLED officials said.
The hospital police officer who was injured in the shooting was treated and released after he exchanged gunfire with Patterson in the emergency room, hospital officials said Thursday afternoon.
Prisma spokesperson Sarah Moore referenced a police report that said the officer and a highway patrol officer were attempting to talk with an armed visitor in the ER when the visitor, identified as Patterson, fired a shot at the officer.
The officer shot Patterson in the arm while attempting to stop him, Moore said.
Patterson entered the hospital just before 2 a.m., according to SLED spokesman Thom Berry.
Berry said Patterson was being treated when he shot the officer and tried to flee.
Prisma Health officials said the incident lasted approximately four minutes.
Jahaza Duncan told WYFF News 4 she was in the emergency room with her son when she heard gunshots and screaming.
“When we first heard it, we weren’t sure. It was just loud and when the screaming happened, we realized what had happened,” Duncan said.
She said she was about to leave with her husband and her sick son, but a nurse helped them inside a bathroom and locked the door.
“Clinton is just a tiny little place, and we have a little, small hospital, so I was very shocked that it happened here, and it really doesn’t seem real. I think I’m still processing it,” she said.
Duncan said something needs to be done to keep medical staff safe.
“I don’t know what that is — I don’t know what the answer is, but it’s becoming a major problem. It’s schools it’s hospitals. It’s malls I mean you don’t feel safe anywhere.”
SLED agents and Laurens County deputies remained at the scene through the morning.
Prisma Health released a statement regarding the shooting.
“Our team members acted quickly to protect those entrusted to their care and each other when faced with this rapidly unfolding situation,” said Justin Benfield, the regional chief operating officer for Prisma Health–Upstate’s southern region, which includes Laurens County.
“As Prisma Health team members, we are called to serve our community selflessly every day, but this morning our team members went above that daily call without hesitation. I am proud to count each one of them as part of the Prisma Health family. I’m especially grateful to the officer for his quick action which helped ensure the safety of our patients, team members and visitors,” said Benfield.
“We will begin the process of emotional healing as a family over the coming days and weeks. We are committed to providing team members the assistance and counseling needed to ensure we are able to emerge stronger from this event,” he said.
