Minnesota hospital security guard’s killing a ‘sad reminder’ of ER violence

During a time of celebration, Andrea Merrell’s family and loved ones were in mourning.

Merrell, a security guard at M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming, Minnesota, was attacked by a patient on Christmas Day. The patient was trying to leave the hospital’s emergency department in defiance of a medical hold, according to court papers.

The suspect beat Merrell, who suffered severe head injuries and died two days later at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, authorities said.

Fairview Health Services issued a statement saying that the system is “heartbroken” by the death of Merrell, who was 43 years old.

“Andrea was a valued member of our security team. Our hearts are with her loved ones and coworkers during this incredibly difficult time. We are focused on supporting our teams and ensuring they have the resources they need,” the system said.

Fairview also said that the system would continue to work with authorities as they investigate the tragic incident.

The Chisago County Attorney’s office said last week that the patient, identified as Jonathan Chet Winch, 35, of Chisago City, has been charged with second degree homicide in Merrell’s killing.

Prosecutors said that a Wyoming police officer was dispatched at 5:24 p.m. on Dec. 25 with reports of the suspect trying to leave the hospital. Prosecutors said the suspect had left through the large magnetic doors of the medical center’s emergency department and was entering the security guard’s vehicle.

The police officer stopped his car near the security vehicle, and fought with Winch for about five minutes until other officers arrived and the suspect was taken into custody, according to court documents.

Police found Merrell lying unconscious on the ground next to the security vehicle.

The medical center has exterior security cameras which captured video of the assault. Court documents state that the suspect is seen repeatedly swinging at and striking the victim lying on the ground.

The suspect also told officers multiple times, “I didn’t mean to hurt her.”

Merrell’s killing horrified local residents and officials. U.S. Rep. Paul Stauber, a Minnesota Republican, said he and his wife, Jodi, were praying for Merrell’s family and loved ones during this “heartbreaking time.”

“Our thoughts are also with the staff at M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center,” Stauber posted on Facebook. “This is a sad reminder of the very real threats emergency room staff and first responders face every day.”

Police in Wyoming, a small city in eastern Minnesota about 35 miles from Minneapolis, expressed their sympathies.

“The Wyoming Police Department extends its sincere condolences to Andrea Merrell’s family, loved ones, and colleagues, as well as to the staff of M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center during this extremely difficult time. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic loss,” the department said.

M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center, a hospital with 55 beds, operates a Level IV trauma center.

Winch remains in custody and bail was set at $2 million dollars. A judge also ordered the suspect to undergo an examination to determine competency.

Hospitals have seen persistent violence, with some nurses and physicians saying the problem has worsened in recent years.

Several deaths have occurred in violent incidents at hospitals over the past year.

Alberto Rangel, a social worker, was fatally stabbed at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital last month. Officials at the hospital vowed to improve security at the facility. A suspect has been arrested and charged.

WakeMed police officer Roger Smith was fatally shot in November at the WakeMed Garner Healthplex in Garner, North Carolina, a city just outside of Raleigh. The campus is part of WakeMed Health & Hospitals. Authorities said Smith’s actions likely saved other lives at the hospital. A suspect has been charged in Smith’s killing.

A security guard was shot and killed at INTEGRIS Health Enid Hospital in Oklahoma in August. The guard, J.W. Bode, was 72 years old, authorities said. The suspect was shot and killed.

In February, a police officer was killed in a shooting at UPMC Memorial, a 104-bed hospital just outside York, Pennsylvania, and several others were shot and wounded, including a doctor and a hospital staff member.

Authorities later said the officer, Andrew Duarte of the West York Borough Police Department, was killed by a shot from a fellow police officer, but officials stressed that the attacker caused the officer’s death. The suspect in that incident was shot and killed.