Brookdale Hospital Nurse Allegedly Attacked By Patient
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A nurse is in critical condition after being brutally attacked by a patient while on duty at a Brooklyn Hospital, police said.
Police said the 40-year-old male patient attacked Evelyn Lynch, 70, at Brookdale Hospital and Medical Center on Friday afternoon, allegedly beating her unconscious, WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported.
Investigators say the nurse was removing Kwincii Jones' catheter in his fifth-floor room when he knocked her to the ground and began beating her repeatedly, CBS 2's Don Champion reported.
An acquaintance of the victim told CBS 2 that a fellow nurse heard the commotion and called for help, an action that may have saved the victim's life.
Jones then locked himself in a bathroom where he was held by security until police officers arrived, Smith reported.
The nurse was rushed to Kings County Hospital with multiple fractures to her face as well as head trauma, CBS 2's Steve Langford reported.
As of 11 p.m. Saturday, she was listed in critical condition, Champion reported.
Some patients said the incident doesn't change how they feel about the facility, Smith reported.
"I have not had any problems here, since I've been here," one patient said.
Workers also said they're comfortable with the level of security at the hospital despite the attack.
"Whenever we need them, we'll call and they respond," an employee told Smith.
Others, however, were rattled by the incident.
"I work here," one employee told Champion. "It could have easily happened to me or anybody else. It's a little weird."
Brookdale Hospital released a statement saying it is cooperating with police.
"This was a tragic incident and we are cooperating fully with NYPD," the statement said. "The Brookdale family, her coworkers, staff and administration have her and her family in our thoughts and prayers."
Jones now faces second-degree assault and attempted murder charges.
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