PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Washington County deputy is on leave after stabbing a man who was trying to grab his gun inside the Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center, authorities said.
It began inside the medical center around 2 a.m., authorities said. The man, who has not yet been publicly identified, was on a civil hold in the emergency department when he allegedly “charged” at the deputy while being admitted.
Despite the deputy’s demands to stop, officials said the man tried to grab the deputy’s gun.
“We never know how this could have ended,” WCSO Sgt. Danny DiPietro said. “We know someone is going after a gun, we know what their intent is. It is something that we train for.”
A struggle ensued and the deputy stabbed the man multiple times, according to officials. A nurse’s aid and a hospital security guard stepped in to help stop the man from taking the deputy’s gun.
One of the employees was injured during the scuffle, officials said. The deputy also suffered minor injuries.
“The deputy’s training worked and he was able to keep control of his gun the entire time,” DiPietro said.
The man was taken to a different hospital, one with a trauma center. Authorities told KOIN 6 News they do not have an update on his condition at this time.
The deputy, whose name has not been released yet, is on “critical incident leave,” standard protocol in these situations.