A police officer was shot and killed during a struggle in the emergency department lobby of a North Carolina Hospital Saturday.
The shooting happened around 9:00 at the WONDED Garner Healthplexx, killing the awake campus police officer Roger Smith, according to a press release.
A “person of interest” in the shooting is in custody, the Police Department said in a statement.
The Emergency Department Lobby is closed, and hospital officials are working with local police and state investigators. Further details about the incident were not immediately released.
“Law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe, and we are grateful for Officer Smith’s sacrifice,” North Carolina Governor Joshor Josh Stein said. As in an X statement.
Garner is a city of about 31,000 people south of Raleigh in Central North Carolina. The Police Department patrols six facilities in the health care system, including Garner Hospital.
Sworn law enforcement officers receive all police training required under state law.