S.C. Patient Dies After Altercation with Hospital Security Officer
The patient had been admitted to the hospital for a gunshot wound to the arm.
A spokesperson for Greenville Memorial Hospital said the institution is cooperating with police in their investigation.
UPDATE: March 9, 2017: The patient’s death has been determined to be a homicide. Coroner Parks Evans says the patient died from traumatic asphysiation, reports WYFF4.
An investigation is underway after a patient at a South Carolina hospital died following a struggle with security personnel.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Greenville County Coroner’s Office are investigating the death of 48-year-old Donald Keith Smith.
Smith was admitted to Greenville Memorial Hospital Monday to receive treatment for a gunshot wound to his arm, reports wyff4.com.
At some point during his time in the hospital’s emergency department, state law enforcement officials say Smith became combative and hit a hospital security officer. A struggle ensued and Smith became unresponsive and stopped breathing.
Staff members’ attempts to revive Smith were unsuccessful and he was declared dead at 10:23 a.m.
The Greenville Health System is not releasing further details right now due to patient privacy laws and the ongoing investigation.
An autopsy is scheduled for today.
Read Next: When Does HIPAA Allow Hospitals to Give Patient Information to Police?
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