A routine Thursday evening at Meritus Medical Center turned chaotic when, authorities say, a Hagerstown man stabbed a security guard inside the hospital, triggering a brief lockdown. The victim, a 56-year-old female security officer, was taken for treatment and is in stable condition, according to officials. Deputies ultimately used a Taser on the suspect after he began harming himself.
What happened
As outlined by DC News Now, the Washington County Sheriff's Office identified the suspect as 39-year-old Timothy Franklin Wallech and said deputies were called to Meritus Medical Center around 8:16 p.m. Thursday. Investigators say Wallech allegedly grabbed a knife from the hospital cafeteria and attacked the security guard before officers confronted him.
Arrest and on-scene response
A deputy deployed a Taser and took the suspect into custody after he dropped to his knees and began stabbing himself in the neck, according to WFMD. The suspect was treated at the scene, then transported to the Washington County Detention Center.
Hospital response
Meritus briefly went on lockdown and diverted all but critical patients while law enforcement cleared the building, as reported by Tri-State Alert. The hospital said on social media there was "no ongoing threat to the community" and that the facility was safe for anyone seeking care, per DC News Now.
Charges and next steps
The Washington County Sheriff's Office says Wallech faces assault and reckless endangerment counts and is being held without bond at the county detention center, WFMD reported. Prosecutors are expected to review the charging details as the case moves into the local court system, and detectives have asked anyone with information to contact the sheriff's office.
Hospital officials publicly thanked staff and first responders for their quick action as investigators continue to review the incident. Local authorities did not immediately release further details late Thursday.
