The GBI is investigating after a Douglas County inmate receiving medical treatment at a hospital grabbed a deputy’s gun and accidentally shot himself, authorities said.
The incident occurred just after 11 p.m. Thursday at Wellstar Douglas Hospital in Douglasville, GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said Friday in a news release.
Authorities said the inmate attempted to escape and struggled with the deputy who tried stopping him.
“The inmate grabbed the deputy’s firearm and fired the weapon, striking himself,” Miles said. “The inmate received non-life-threatening injuries.”
The deputy was not injured in the altercation, and the GBI was called in to investigate the use-of-force incident, authorities said.
Wellstar Health System confirmed the shooting, saying “no other patients or staff were involved or injured during the brief incident and the facility remains open.”
The inmate’s name and charges have not been released.
— Please return to AJC.com for updates.
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