Kentucky State Police identify police officer, suspect involved in hospital shooting
A man who police said fired shots at a hospital in Elizabethtown was shot by a 10-year-veteran Elizabethtown police officer, according to state police.
The Elizabethtown Police Department was called to Baptist Health Hardin just after 5 a.m. October 19 for a report of an active shooter, said Chris Denham, public affairs officer for the department.
The suspect, who was armed with a handgun, was shot by one of the responding officers, Denham said in a news conference shared on the police department’s Facebook page.
George Lee Jr., 39, of Radcliff, was identified Sunday as the suspect. He remains in critical, but stable condition, according to state police.
Lee was armed with a handgun and fired shots before officers arrived, but Denham said no one was hurt. A statement from state police said Lieutenant Alex Ruiz fired his agency-issued firearm at Lee after he turned his firearm towards officers in the hospital’s hallway.
Denham commended hospital security staff, who he said were unarmed and acted courageously.
“They confronted an armed adversary,” he said.
Baptist Health Hardin said the incident happened in the emergency department.
“While we are grateful that our staff, patients and visitors were not physically harmed, we ask the community to join us in supporting those who were involved,” Baptist Health Hardin said in a statement posted to its Facebook page. “We wish to thank our staff and Security team for their efforts and commitment to safety, and special thanks to the Elizabethtown Police Department for their quick response and professionalism during this incident – and their continued efforts toward maintaining a safe environment at our hospital and in our community.”
This story was originally published October 19, 2024 at 9:15 PM.
