A serious incident at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta has led to major security changes, following a man's attempt to sexually assault a stroke patient after smoking crack within the hospital premises. Last Friday, 24-year-old Shamon Pearce entered a patient's room, stripped naked, and attempted to assault a 47-year-old woman recovering from a stroke, as reported by WSBTV.
Pearce, who allegedly was "high and smoking drugs" and "trying something new," managed to elude hospital staff who were alerted to his presence in the facility, according to WSBTV. The situation escalated when a hospital employee observed Pearce in an elevator with a device initially mistaken for a cigarette, as reported by FOX5 Atlanta. The discovery of the assailant and the patient together on a floor was made after staff heard noises coming from the room. Despite efforts to detain him, Pearce overpowered the employees and fled naked through the hallway.
The chase ended when Pearce evaded staff by entering the stairwell. An hour-long hideout in a trash can in the basement, and an escape wearing a hospital gown, were detailed in surveillance footage. Pearce was eventually apprehended by police under a nearby bridge, and in a statement obtained by FOX5 Atlanta, he told police he had just been discharged from the hospital and claimed initially to have been ill. Afterward, he confessed to being under the influence of drugs during the assault.
Grady Memorial Hospital is working on measures to enhance patient and staff security. "We have increased security staff throughout the hospital as well as rounding outside and in parking decks. All inpatient units will be locked and badge access only. A robust visitor management system will be installed. We will be implementing an alert system that equips staff with wearable mobile panic buttons for emergency situations," a hospital spokesperson communicated in a response to the incident shared with WSBTV.
Grady Memorial Hospital is improving security for patients and staff. A hospital spokesperson stated, "We have increased security staff throughout the hospital and in parking areas. All inpatient units will be locked and badge access only. A robust visitor management system will be installed. We will implement an alert system that equips staff with wearable mobile panic buttons for emergencies," according to FOX5 Atlanta.
In a related security lapse on the same day, Carwon Marqavious Redding, a 32-year-old murder suspect, escaped from custody while receiving treatment at Grady Memorial. Anyone with information about Redding's whereabouts is urged to contact Atlanta police.
