Florida law enforcement agencies are investigating an officer-involved shooting inside a medical exam room at Ocala Regional Medical Center.
- Bank robbery suspect arrested, taken to hospital
- Police: Man attacked hospital worker, threatened staff
- Officer shot suspect twice
Ocala Police said the man, identified by police Friday as 40-year-old Jonathan Michael Rollins, was the suspect in a robbery at a Marion County Bank of America on Wednesday.
Rollins was in police custody when he complained of an injury. He was taken to the Ocala hospital for treatment.
“It was in policy of our procedures," Deputy Police Chief Rodney Smith said. "We had him in handcuffs, we had him in shackles, he complained of injuries. So we did everything that was outlined in our policy for how we transport.“
His handcuffs were removed because he needed X-rays. According to police, after his hands were free, he attacked a hospital worker, grabbed scissors in the exam room, threatened hospital staff and did not follow the officer’s orders.
The officer shot the man twice. He is expected to survive the shooting.
When asked whether the officer violated policy, Smith said the agency will investigate internally, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will do its own independent investigation.
“From what I gather and can comment on, we are there to save lives, and based on first-hand information, that’s what our officer has done. The medical personnel is an extension of our community," Smith said.
The medical staff involved incurred minor injuries, and the officer involved was not hurt.
“In my opinion, he saved a life, and that’s doing the right thing,” Smith said.
Smith described the officer who was involved in the shooting as a veteran with more than 25 years of experience. He was put on administrative leave, which is standard for shootings involving officers.