Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008

Woman shoots self in head in hospital

Corrections Dept. convenes panel to review

Updated 12:39 p.m.
A patient in the Palmetto Health Richland emergency care area took a revolver from a Department of Corrections officer’s holster and shot herself in the head. She was in critical condition late Tuesday, Columbia police said.

The S.C. Department of Corrections this morning convened a panel to review the shooting and policies that apply to the transfer of inmates from correctional institutions to hospitals.

"Providing a safe and secure environment for the public, agency staff and inmates is the Corrections Department’s top priority, and the agency is closely examining events that transpired before this unfortunate incident. As part of the policy examination, agency staff also will meet today with hospital administrators," a news release from the Department of Corrections said.

No one else was injured in the 7:19 p.m. shooting, which occurred in a hallway in the hospital’s emergency department. The hospital diverted patients to other facilities for about two hours because of the shooting.

Police did not release the woman’s name or say why she had been placed in the emergency department for care.

At no time was the staff in any danger, Columbia police Capt. Thomas Dodson said.

Two corrections officers, one of whom was armed, were with an inmate at the hospital, Dodson said. Dodson said he does not believe the woman knew the inmate.

Corrections Department spokesman Josh Gelinas would not comment on how a hospital patient could have gotten the officer’s gun or if the officers face disciplinary action.

Full operations were restored at the emergency department by 10 p.m., hospital spokeswoman Tammie Epps said in a statement.

“We will conduct a full evaluation of this event to assure that the safety of our patients, visitors and staff is never compromised,” Epps said.The State Law Enforcement Division and Department of Corrections are assisting police in the investigation, Dodson said.

Reach Higgins at (803) 771-8570.