JAMAICA: Patient shot and injured at KPH

The Kingston Public Hospital in downtown Kingston.

CHAOS broke out yesterday at the Kingston Public Hospital  where a patient was shot and injured by a correctional officer.

Reports are that about 8:30 am the correctional officer was at the health facility monitoring an inmate when the incident occurred.
According to officer in charge of crime in the Kingston Western police division, Phillip McIntosh, the correctional officer was at the end of his shift and was in the process of unholstering his private firearm when it went off.
A patient who was close by was accidentally shot and injured, McIntosh said.
“Reports we received are that the patient was shot in his arm. His injury is not considered life-threatening,” another police officer told the Jamaica Observer.
However, an official from the hospital, who asked not to be named, reported that the injured patient had to undergo surgery.
Meanwhile, the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) said a probe has since been launched into the shooting incident.
INDECOM explained that three correctional officers, who were at the location at the time of the incident, including the officer whose firearm was discharged, were all questioned.
The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) has also launched its own investigation.
“Yes, it is true that since the incident a probe has been launched,” chairman of SERHA, Dr Andrei Cooke, told the Observer.
Dr Cooke explained that the investigation was to ascertain under what circumstance the incident occurred.

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