Shooting At Evanston Hospital Injures 1, Puts Facility Under Lockdown

EVANSTON, IL — A gunman opened fire in the emergency room of Evanston Hospital Thursday night, according to police.

Police said the Crisis Alternative Response (C.A.R.E) team made contact with a 28-year-old man, who appeared to exhibiting mental health concerns, at a Taco Bell in the 1700 block of Sherman Avenue at approximately 7:26 p.m.

According to the Evanston Police Department, the man agreed to be evaluated by paramedics before being voluntarily taken to Evanston Hospital at 2650 Ridge Ave at 7:45 p.m. Authorities brought the man into the emergency room at the hospital.

At that point in time, officers were not dispatched and were not at the hospital, according to police.

Inside a room in the emergency room, nurses assisted with the intake process. At some point, police said the man became agitated, and a hospital security guard came into the room.

At that time, the man lunged toward his belongings, brandished a gun and shot at the security officer, according to police. Police said three to four shots were fired in the room.

The security officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting, according to EPD.

Additional security personnel and a nurse assisted with apprehending the suspect and placing him in handcuffs until EPD arrived.

The hospital was put under lockdown as a result of the shooting and the emergency room is on bypass, police said, adding there was no current threat to the public.

Endeavor Health addressed the situation in a statement, saying, "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. The hospital is on lockdown at this time, and our emergency room is on bypass."