BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A shooting incident occurred late Sunday night in the Emergency Department at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo.
The incident took place just before midnight when a patient reportedly arrived at the hospital with a firearm.
According to Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1133, the individual was placed alone in an Emergency Department room, where he later fired the weapon, injuring himself. He was then taken to Erie County Medical Center (ECMC).
No employees, members, patients, or visitors were hurt.
In response to the incident, CWA Local 1133 held a press conference at 1 p.m. on Monday in front of the hospital to discuss their demands for increased safety protocols aimed at protecting healthcare workers, patients, and visitors.
7 News reached out to Catholic Health for comments on the incident and the union's demands, and we received the following statement:
“Incidents like this are becoming all too common, and it is critical to all of us that our associates not be put in danger. We are responding with immediate action and we have added a second armed guard at Mercy Hospital, who will be stationed exclusively in the Emergency Department 24/7. Today, our Leadership team is evaluating the results of a third party safety study recently completed at Catholic Health. We have reached out to invite our CWA partners to be part of this discussion, and will be taking action on the recommended plan immediately."
7 News also reached out to the Buffalo Police Department and received the following statement from a spokesperson:
Buffalo Police responded to a shooting call at the hospital just before midnight last night. The incident remains under investigation.
