Armed patient allegedly injures three hospital staff in Halifax emergency room

By Canadian Press on January 29, 2025.

HALIFAX — Three hospital staff were injured in what Nova Scotia’s health minister says was an armed assault by a patient Wednesday afternoon at the Halifax Infirmary emergency department.

Halifax police say they responded to a weapons complaint at the hospital and took one person into custody.

“Three valuable staff at (Halifax Infirmary) were injured today by a patient in the emergency room,” Health Minister Michelle Thompson told a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

Thompson said that at around 1 p.m. the hospital declared a Code Silver, used when there is a risk to safety due to someone who is armed with a weapon. “We’re very concerned and very sorry that this happened,” she said.

The health minister and the police did not immediately reveal the condition of the injured staff members or say what type of weapon was involved. Police said there is no threat to the public and the investigation is ongoing.

Police remain on site, Thompson said, and as of 4 p.m., the emergency department was accepting only critical emergencies and trauma patients. She said it was too early to know when full ER service would resume.

“That area is now a crime scene, and we do need to allow (police) to do their work, and we will work with them closely and bring service back as soon as we’re able,” she said.

A memo sent to hospital staff by Nova Scotia Health CEO Karen Oldfield says the incident at the ER has “left many shaken.”

Thompson said there are staff on site providing support to the hospital workers and patients who witnessed the event.