1 in custody after shooting inside Evanston Hospital emergency room

EVANSTON, Ill. (WGN) – One person is in custody after a shooting in the Evanston Hospital Emergency Room Thursday night.

Evanston police said just before 7:30 p.m., the Crisis Alternative Response Team came into contact with a 28-year-old Evanston man near the Taco Bell in the 1700 block of Sherman Avenue in downtown Evanston.

According to police, the man appeared to have been suffering from “unknown mental health conditions” and agreed to be evaluated by paramedics before agreeing to be taken to Evanston Hospital. When he arrived at the hospital, he was brought to the emergency room.

At that time, Evanston police officers were not dispatched and were not on scene, according to officials.

Detectives said while nurses were helping with the intake process, the man grew agitated, prompting hospital security to go into the room and provide support.

Just before 8 p.m., the man lunged toward his belongings and pulled out a weapon that fired three-to-four shots. A hospital security officer was shot and is believed to have suffered non-life threatening injuries, according to police.

Authorities said other security guards and a nurse helped officers handcuff the man until Evanston police officers arrived.

Although there was no active threat to the public, police said the hospital was placed on lockdown, though it has since been lifted.

Evanston Hospital issued the following statement on the incident:

“A shooting occurred in the emergency room at Evanston Hospital last night. 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 emergency department is no longer on lockdown and has come off bypass.”