FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A patient with a firearm shot himself Thursday at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, police said.
The shooting took place at about noon.
Fort Pierce police said at the time of the incident two officers, who were assigned to the hospital, were already at the facility. Two other officers were also there handling an unrelated call.
As the officers attempted to speak with the patient and calm him, police said he suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The patient received care from hospital staff and was still being treated late Thursday afternoon.
There were no other injuries reported.
The hospital is continuing to operate on its normal schedule. Police said the incident remains an open investigation.
HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital released the following statement regarding the incident:
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.
