After 'accidental' shooting, WRAL asking about security inside Triangle hospitals
Just about 24 hours after a man allegedly shot his sister in a Wayne County hospital, plenty of questions remain about the incident and the response.
Allen Carmichael, 40, of Goldsboro, remains at large, wanted for carrying a concealed weapon. Police say he accidentally shot his sister, Sade Jones, on Sunday night on the sixth floor at UNC Wayne Hospital. It is not clear why either Carmichael or Jones was at the hospital, why Carmichael was armed and what prompted the shooting.
While signs outside the hospital prohibit weapons like guns and knives in the facility, there are no visible hospital security officers enforcing that ban and no metal detectors as patients and visitors enter the building.
Other hospitals in the Triangle have metal detectors.
Duke University Hospital Assistant Vice President of Emergency Services Jason Zivica told WRAL News that all Duke Health facilities are gun-free zones, and emergency rooms are equipped with metal detectors to protect the safety of patients and staff.
WakeMed hospitals also have metal detectors, according to WakeMed Health and Hospitals marketing and communications senior specialist Kristin Kelly.
"WakeMed prepares for emergency response to strengthen continuous readiness as much as possible," Kelly wrote in an email to WRAL News. "Safety protocols along with a robust communication system are in place to secure our environment and protect our patients and staff.
"WakeMed Campus Police and Safety Officers perform regular, purposeful rounds throughout our hospitals to asses security, and uniformed officers are at all entrances."
Sister injured, brother on the loose
Jones, who is a nurse but not at UNC Wayne Hospital, is recovering Monday in her home. She doesn’t remember anything except for waking up in a pool of blood. On Monday, Jones declined to speak with WRAL News on camera because she’s heavily medicated.
Initially, authorities thought there was an active shooter situation on Sunday night at the hospital. Authorities said a call came in just after 8 p.m. Sunday of a shooting in the hospital. The hospital was locked down until 9:10 p.m. Visitor hours at the hospital end at 9 p.m.
UNC Wayne Hospital released a news release Monday about the accidental shooting.
The hospital did not make anyone available to explain the discrepancy. Instead, it issued a statement saying, “While we are thankful that this was not a purposeful act of aggression, it does not make this incident any less distressing for the victim, our teammates, and our community. The safety and well-being of our teammates, patients and visitors is of top priority at Wayne UNC and we remain committed to ensuring a safe environment.”
The hospital plans to conduct an internal review and plans to explore if opportunities exist for “enhancing mitigation practices.”
Wayne UNC Hospital also said it is providing resources to employees after Monday night’s events.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of support from our community, the professionalism of our teammates, and the quick response of the Goldsboro Police Department,” the release said.
On Monday, Jones wouldn’t say anything more about her relationship with her brother or why he ran from the scene. WRAL News checked public records, and did not find a restraining order between Carmichael and Jones.
Carmichael has a criminal history from 2004 and 2005. It includes misdemeanor convictions for going armed to the terror of the public, carrying concealed gun, marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting a public officer.
