Police: violent patient outburst causes damage, sends CHI St. Francis nurses fleeing to safety

GRAND ISLAND, NE — Hospital workers in Grand Island are in shock after police say a violent outburst from a patient damaged equipment and sent nurses into hiding fearing for their safety.

Grand Island Police officers responded to CHI Health St. Francis around 8:00 Wednesday night to reports of an out of control patient. Police say Gerald Carrabba broke several items totaling more than $6,200 in damage, including computer monitors and a bladder 9400 scanner. Witnesses say he ran around the hospital floor holding a large piece of wood and yelling, “I’m going to kill you.” Nurses fled and barricaded themselves inside a locked room out of fear.

Once police arrived, officers say Carrabba threw coffee on them and kicked and scratched one officer. Police arrested him on suspicion of criminal mischief, three counts of terroristic threats, assault on an officer and resisting arrest.

The Nebraska Hospital Association, the trade association representing Nebraska health systems, issued a statement about the incident on Thursday.

“Our hearts are with those affected by this horrific event,” NHA President Jeremy Nordquist said.. “This kind of hospital violence is unfortunately on the increase in our hospitals across the state and the NHA is committed to doing everything we can to reverse this dangerous trend and protect our health care heroes.”