AURORA, Ill. – On Nov. 18, after a 4½ hour standoff, police shot and killed Provena Mercy Medical Center patient Johnnie Russell, 58, after he opened his hospital room door and pointed a gun at them. Russell died of a head wound.
Police have not yet determined whether the patient fired his weapon at the officers. The officer who shot Russell, a 12-year veteran of the Aurora Police Department, was placed on administrative duties until the investigation concluded.
Though no other injuries occurred, Russell did briefly hold hostage a 71-year-old patient. The hostage was released unharmed when police intervened. All other patients on the floor had been relocated and the hospital was locked down.
Police are not certain if the patient committed suicide by intentionally provoking police officers. The first officer on scene reported that Russell wanted police to shoot him.
Hospital officials say patient health was never compromised, and that the hospital’s operations are now running according to routine.
