Officer Fires Shot in S.C. Hospital ER; No Injuries

March 07--A correctional officer fired a shot in the Palmetto Health Richland hospital emergency department after an inmate being escorted for medical care got hold of another officer's weapon.

The inmate, whose name was not immediately available, removed a weapon from one of the escorting officers. Another officer fired a shot toward the inmate, which "helped subdue the patient" and allowed the officers to regain custody, hospital spokeswoman Tammie Epps said.

The patient now is back at Kirkland Correctional Institute and the shooting has been reported to and is being investigated by the SC State Law Enforcement Division, Epps said.

There were no injuries during the incident, she said.

Kelly Davis

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