LOS ANGELES — A person entered a hospital in Encino on Friday and stabbed three medical professionals earlier than barricading himself in a room, officers mentioned.
The man was armed with a knife when he entered Encino Hospital Medical Center round 3:50 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Drake Madison mentioned.
A physician and two workers nurses had been stabbed and transported to a trauma heart, a consultant for the hospital mentioned.
One sufferer was in crucial situation and was in surgical procedure, LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton mentioned. The different two had been described as being in secure situation.
The man remained within the hospital as of seven p.m., three hours after the stabbings. Police mentioned he’s confined to a room and Madison described him as being barricaded.
SWAT was inside and negotiators had been attempting to speak with him, Hamilton mentioned.
A motive was not clear. The man, who was not recognized, walked into the hospital underneath his personal energy, Hamilton mentioned.
“I don’t consider he has any relationship” with any of the victims, Hamilton mentioned at a information convention.
Hospital workers and sufferers had been evacuated, and officers have been posted inside to make sure the person couldn’t entry different elements of the constructing, he mentioned.
“We will proceed to observe the scenario and our ideas and prayers are with all concerned,” Elizabeth Nikels, vp of communications for the Prime Healthcare hospital system, mentioned in an announcement.
News helicopter footage from NBC Los Angeles confirmed a big response of police and firefighters exterior Encino Hospital Medical Center, which is within the San Fernando Valley.
The incident in Southern California occurred simply days after a gunman opened hearth at a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, killing 4 individuals. In that case, police mentioned the gunman, who killed himself, was focusing on a health care provider.
This is a growing story. Please examine again for updates.
