SEATTLE, WA - The Seattle Police Department (SPD) is reporting that a 14-year-old boy was arrested for assaulting medical staff at Seattle Children’s Hospital in the Laurelhurst neighborhood Tuesday afternoon.
Shortly after 3:00 p.m., on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, police responded to a 911 call reporting a teenager assaulted medical personnel, destroyed property, and armed himself with a metal pole in the psychiatry and behavioral medicine unit of the hospital. Police arrived and contacted staff who evacuated to a secure area of the building. One of the staff members was assessed for minor injuries.
Staff told police the teenage boy convinced another patient to steal an access badge from hospital staff. Once the badge was stolen, the suspect opened facility doors and allowed other patients to access prohibited sections of the building. The suspect then armed himself with a metal pole, began destroying property and attempted to locate and harm another teen. The suspect then attacked a staff member and put them in a headlock. Multiple staff members intervened before evacuating the area.
Officers coordinated a plan with medical personnel to reestablish control of the facility.
Police and medical personnel secured the building and took the suspect into custody without incident.
The suspect was transported to the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center for investigation of assault and property damage.
