Officer shot at west union hospital

Inmate shoots deputy and himself in hospital

A prisoner shot an inured a Fayette County Sheriff’s deputy, before apparently taking his own life at Palmer Lutheran Health Center (PLHC) in West Union early Saturday morning.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the deputy was at PLHC with an inmate who was being treated for medical issues. During the inmate’s treatment the deputy released one of the inmate’s hands from handcuffs. The inmate proceeded to attack the deputy and a struggle ensued.

The inmate managed to take and secure the deputy’s firearm and held the deputy at gunpoint, wanting to be further released to attempt an escape.

The deputy then deployed a non-lethal device at the inmate. The inmate then shot the deputy. The inmate then took the firearm and inflicted a gunshot to himself.

The deputy, who was wearing a bullet proof vest, was treated at PLHC for a gunshot wound to his abdomen and released.

The inmate was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office has turned the investigation over to the Division of Criminal Investigations.

Assisting at the scene was the West Union Police Department and the Fayette County Medical Examiner.

As of approximately 3 p.m. on Saturday, PLHC continued to have limited entrance to some areas of the health facility. However, full services continue and entrance to the Emergency room is available if needed.

Names of the deputy and inmate will be released after a full investigation and notification is completed.