A man placed on a hospital hold ran from an Wyoming, Minn., emergency department on Christmas Day and later injured a hospital security officer during a confrontation.
Police say the incident unfolded at about 5:23 p.m. on Dec. 25 after officers were dispatched to the Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming for a report of a patient who had left the emergency department after being placed on a hold.
A Wyoming police officer located the 35-year-old man in the hospital parking lot, where he was described as non-compliant and physically resistant during a prolonged encounter before he was taken into custody. Authorities say no deadly force was used.
According to police, the man is alleged to have assaulted a member of the hospital’s security staff before officers arrived. The injured security officer was taken to Regions Hospital for treatment. As of publication, officials have not released information on the severity of the injuries and the officer’s name has not yet been made public.
The man was transported to M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center for evaluation following the incident. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting with the investigation
UPDATE | Saturday, Dec. 27
Authorities have confirmed the security officer, Andrea Merrell, 43, of North Branch, was transported to Regions Hospital with life-threatening injuries. On Saturday, authorities confirmed Merrell died as a result of those injuries.
