Man on probation stabs hospital employee with knife, Minnesota police say
A hospital employee was stabbed by a patient with a knife who was there for mental health treatment, Minnesota police say.
The suspect, identified as a 31-year-old Willmar man, was at CentraCare Rice Memorial Hospital for “an apparent mental health issue” when he attacked a worker, according to an April 1 Facebook post from the Willmar Police Department.
“The suspect has a significant history of erratic behavior and is currently on probation for a different 2nd degree assault case,” police said.
The suspect stabbed the 53-year-old employee with a folding knife multiple times, requiring the woman to undergo surgery and receive 36 stitches, MPR News reported, citing a criminal complaint.
The woman had been caring for the suspect during his treatment at the hospital, according to MPR News.
The man was subdued by security personnel and hospital staff and treated for his injuries before being booked at Kandiyohi County Jail, police said.
He was charged Wednesday, April 3, with second- and third-degree assault, MPR News reported.
McClatchy News reached out to CentraCare for comment April 3 but did not receive an immediate response.
“Events like this are happening far too frequently at health care facilities around the country, and we are not immune,” CentraCare said in a statement provided to MRP News.
Kandiyohi County is about a 90-mile drive west from Minneapolis.
