A recently discharged patient at Inova Fairfax Hospital was fatally shot by an on-duty sheriff's deputy after he threatened the deputy and a hospital security guard with a metal sign post, Fairfax County police said.
Officers were called to a bus stop on the hospital's campus just before 10 p.m. Monday after at least two people reported seeing a suspicious man with some sort of edged weapon.
Police say a hospital security guard escorted the 29-year-old man to the bus stop after he was discharged from the hospital. When they got to the bus stop, the man picked up a sign post and struck the guard, police say.
A deputy who was working at the hospital responded to the scene and tried to negotiate with the man. But police say the man charged at the deputy, prompting the deputy to fire his weapon.
The signpost used as a weapon by the man fatally shot by a #Fairfax Sheriff deputy last night @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/JnqcjdmXdj
— Julie Carey (@JulieCareyNBC) August 16, 2016
Police say the man, who has not been identified, exhibited mental health issues prior to the shooting.
Three police officers arrived to the scene a short time later, and the suspect was taken to the hospital. Police said the man's injuries were initially thought to be non-life-threatening, but he later died.
No deputies or officers were injured.
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Police say the deputy, an 18-year veteran, had undergone crisis intervention team training, which help law enforcement officers handle incidents involving people with mental health issues. He will be placed on routine administrative leave.
