A Boston Medical Center security officer suffered life-threatening injuries after being stabbed early Wednesday morning by a male visitor. The suspect, identified as Brandon Bannister, 37, now faces multiple assault charges.
Boston Medical Center Security Officer Stabbing Incident Details
The altercation began around 2 a.m. when Boston police responded to reports of a fight at the hospital. Bannister, who was visiting his newborn baby and her mother, was confronted by public safety officers as he attempted to leave with items belonging to the patient, reports WHDH. According to police, the situation escalated when Bannister was accused of taking items that were not his.
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Surveillance footage from the hospital shows Bannister approaching a safety officer aggressively, resulting in the officer pushing him away, reports NBC Boston. Bannister then appeared to reach for his pocket, possibly grabbing a weapon. In response, public safety officers deployed pepper spray.
During the confrontation, one security officer, described as being in his 20s, sustained a stab wound to his upper right thigh. Prosecutor Olivia Izzi stated the officer realized he was injured, hopped on one leg to the entrance, and managed to escort himself to Trauma 3 for treatment. The officer’s injuries were severe, necessitating the application of a tourniquet, but he is currently recovering.
A second officer’s ballistic vest was slashed in the incident.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Bannister was arrested at the scene and, during the booking process, was found to be in possession of bags containing crack cocaine, reports Boston.com. He is currently charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and trafficking cocaine over 18 grams.
The District Attorney’s Office noted that Bannister is on probation for a federal weapons charge. His defense attorney, Tanvi Verma, argued that Bannister was turning his life around, participating in a program aimed at helping ex-convicts, and working as a personal trainer. Verma also stated that Bannister was simply leaving the hospital room as requested by the mother of his child and that the items in question were indeed his.
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The judge has ordered Bannister to be held on $50,000 bail and mandated that he stay away from all Boston hospitals unless “strapped to a gurney.” He is scheduled to appear in court again on January 12 for a probable cause hearing.
