The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a patient who reportedly shot herself at a hospital.
- Woman shoots herself at Viera Hospital in Brevard County
- Woman was brought to hospital as patient by ambulance
- Hospital: Woman had firearm in her belongings
The incident happened at Health First Viera Hospital about 4 a.m. Sunday.
The woman was brought to hospital by ambulance and admitted. While in the intensive care unit, she pulled out a firearm from her belongings and shot herself, investigators said.
No one else was injured.
Hospital officials said additional security screening procedures would be implemented.
Health First released a statement from Matthew Gerrell, vice president of marketing and communications, about the death.
“On Saturday, March 11, a patient was brought by ambulance to Viera Hospital and admitted to the ICU, bypassing our security screening processes. Early this morning, March 12, the patient suffered a fatal, self-inflicted gunshot wound with a weapon that was hidden in the patient’s belongings. No associates, patients or visitors were injured or endangered during the incident. We are immediately implementing additional security screening procedures for patients who are admitted to our hospitals via ambulance. Our hearts and prayers go out to the patient’s family during this tragic time.”
The identity of the woman has not been released.
The shooting comes almost a year after Brevard County hospitals implemented stricter security measures following the shooting death of two people at Parrish Medical Center in Titusville.