A security guard was shot and wounded June 5 during an incident inside the emergency department at Endeavor Health Evanston (Ill.) Hospital, the Evanston Police Department said in a series of posts on X.
At 7:26 p.m., the Crisis Alternative Response Team, a non-police response unit to some low-risk calls, approached an Evanston resident near a Taco Bell in the city’s downtown area, according to police.
Team personnel said the 28-year-old man appeared to be suffering from unknown mental health conditions. After agreeing to an evaluation by paramedics, he was taken to the hospital and brought into the ED. Police were not involved at this time.
“While nurses were assisting with the intake process, the man became agitated, prompting hospital security to enter the room to provide support,” police said. “The man lunged toward his belongings and produced a weapon, which was discharged.”
At 7:57 p.m., multiple shots were fired, and a hospital security officer was shot, suffering non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Additional security personnel and a nurse assisted with placing the man in handcuffs until police arrived on scene. The emergency department was placed on lockdown.
Spencer Walrath, a spokesperson for the hospital, shared the following statement with Becker’s on June 5: “A shooting occurred in the emergency room at Evanston Hospital this evening. The individual was quickly apprehended and taken into custody. There is no active threat. The safety of our patients and team members is our top priority.”
As of June 6, the ED is no longer on lockdown and has come off bypass.
