Salem, Virginia – “If someone came with a gun now, it would be a massacre. It would be bloody. There would be nothing to stop them,” said a Lewis Gale employee.
These concerns were raised directly to 10 News by LewisGale Hospital employees.
She asked to remain anonymous, but said someone not only brought a gun into the hospital last week, but was also able to use it on themselves.
“It didn't seem like he had any intention of hurting anyone but himself. He brought the gun into the hospital without any problem,” the employee said.
10 News reached out to both Lewis Gale and Salem police to confirm this information.
We can confirm that a man was found dead in Lewisgair last Wednesday and police are investigating but do not believe this is a criminal incident. He did not say whether a firearm was used.
The employee said he was concerned about safety anyway.
“It would be incredibly easy for someone to bring in a gun and have no problem killing all of our hospital staff,” she said.
Employees and Mr. Lewis Gale confirmed that there are no metal detectors in the hospital.
“I have been asking for metal detectors ever since I started working. We have been told by HCA leadership and upper management that it is not optically good and would make patients uncomfortable,” she said. Ta.
The employee also said she would feel safer if there were better trained security guards or police officers present at the hospital.
“When we call for security, we just bring a few more bodies to the scene… It would be great if there were police officers there all the time,” she said.
We continue to contact LewisGale for more information regarding its security practices.
Virginia law requires at least one off-duty law enforcement officer or trained security guard to be present in the emergency department at all times.
LewisGale responded to our request for comment:
“Last week, we learned of a tragic isolated incident involving a community member on hospital grounds. Hospital leaders immediately took action in conjunction with local law enforcement who determined there was no threat to the hospital. We have responded. We would like to offer our sincere condolences to everyone involved.”
Lewis Gale
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