Psych Patient Stabs Doctor, is Shot Dead

(AP)  Last updated 4:15 p.m. Eastern

A man stabbed a doctor while being treated at a psychiatric ward at a Boston medical building Tuesday and was fatally shot by an off-duty security guard who saw the attack, police said.

The attack took place in the afternoon at 50 Staniford St., a high-rise affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital.

The female doctor, whose name was not released, was in stable condition. Police say the suspect died of the gunshot wounds. The security guard was off duty and just happened to be at the scene, according to Bonnie Michelman, the hospital's security director.

Police temporarily locked down the building, telling employees and patients that they could not immediately leave. Nearby streets were shut down for about an hour.

Police Commissioner Ed Davis later said no one else was injured, and there was no further danger.

David Schoenfeld, a biostatistician who works in another suite of offices on the fifth floor, where the attack took place, said he heard a commotion and found the suspect lying on the floor.

"Two nurses rushed in and administered as much first aid as they could until the ambulances arrived a couple of minutes later," Schoenfeld said. He described the man as tall and heavy-set, about 35 to 40 years old, and casually dressed.

The attack took place at the Massachusetts General Hospital Bipolar Clinic & Research Program, in a building near the main hospital. The program provides clinical care, conducts research and educating the community about bipolar disorder, according to its Web site.

The building is in a largely commercial area. It contains businesses with treatment specialties and several medical groups associated with Massachusetts General.

[luciacovellii]

Regarding the off-duty security guard who fatally shot the psychiatric patient- I find it difficult to fathom why he could not have aimed for the attacker's foot, which would have immediately stopped him from further assault on the doctor. Was it necessary for him to aim to KILL?

[luciacovellii]

MGH Bipolar Research is involved in clinical trials of psychotropic drugs. I would like to know whether this patient was a participant in such a trial. MGH is presently recruiting patients for a study of Efficacy and Safety of Galantamine for Improving Dysfunction in People With Bipolar Disorder, sponsored by the NIH.
link: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00741598

Aggression is a known side effect of this drug.

Was the patient a participant in this clinical trial?

[Treadlightly2]

Those unrelentingly cruel ones, objects of compassion,
Maddened by delusion's evils,
wantonly destroy themselves and others;
May they achieve the eye of wisdom,
knowing what must be done and undone,
And abide in the glory of friendship and love.

[Treadlightly2]

Violence leads to more voilence, yes?

[citizenusa-2009]

Look, on page 2 of the Psych book I believe it clearly says "This job pays handsomely, but be advised you can be shot, strangled or knifed if you don't "mind your P's and Q's". The Dr. clearly knows the risks involved, so I'm not going to give her my Boo Hoos. I feel sorry for the mental patient who was shot and killed...his Doctor obviously failed to prescribe the right meds.

[linfinster]

Wow, you clearly know nothing about mental illness! Shameful comment!

[citizenusa-2009]

Look, on page 2 of the Psych book I believe it clearly says "This job pays handsomely, but be advised you can be shot, strangled or knifed if you don't "mind your P's and Q's". The Dr. clearly knows the risks involved, so I'm not going to give her my Boo Hoos. I feel sorry for the mental patient who was shot and killed...his Doctor obviously failed to prescribe the right meds.

[tpeks40]

He won't do that again.