CAMPBELL RIVER, British Columbia, Canada – It took three Taser jolts, a dose of pepper spray and a group of Mounties to subdue a paranoid patient who allegedly assaulted four hospital staff after he broke through a restraining device.
At 2:45 pm on July 28, paramedics called the police for help with an uncooperative patient displaying symptoms of cocaine-induced psychosis. After placing him under custody, the officers and paramedics took 25-year-old Shea Roddie to Campbell River Hospital, where he was secured with a four-point restraining device and given a sedative. According to paramedics, he escaped when the leather on the wrist strap broke.
Despite being jolted by a Taser from a nearby officer, Roddie fled into the emergency room. Police say that on the way he pushed and punched four staff members, placing one of them in a headlock for use as a shield. Police caught up with him in another area of the hospital, firing two Taser jolts and pepper spray. Mounties managed to apprehend him after a five minute struggle.
Security at the hospital increased after a similar incident resulted in the death of 78-year-old volunteer Phyliss Hards in 2006. Hospital officials said they will review their safety procedures again after Roddie’s behavior.
Roddie is currently charged with four counts of assault and one count each of resisting arrest and escaping lawful custody. Police add that he is not known to be violent and was not carrying drugs at the time.
