Nurse Critically Injured in Attack by Patient in Florida Hospital

LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. — A nurse at HCA Florida Palms West Hospital suffered critical injuries after being attacked by a patient on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were dispatched to the hospital at 1:20 p.m. for a reported aggravated battery involving a hospital staff member.

The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Stephen Scantlebury, assaulted the nurse inside a third-floor patient room during what witnesses described as a violent encounter that lasted only moments. The attack was reportedly witnessed by several individuals, prompting immediate intervention.

Following the incident, the nurse was transported by helicopter to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, where her current condition has not been disclosed. Scantlebury has since been charged with attempted murder.

In a related incident, a viewer captured video footage of Scantlebury walking shirtless on Southern Boulevard, seemingly with ECG leads still attached to his chest. The footage showed him being pursued by hospital staff and law enforcement before deputies successfully detained him. Logan Ashman, who filmed the encounter, expressed his shock at witnessing such a scene unfold. “It was just a freakish thing to see, because that’s not something you see every day,” he said.

Witnesses outside the hospital reported that the day began normally until they observed sheriff’s vehicles rushing to the scene. One hospital employee, speaking to WPTV reporter Michael Hoffman, emphasized that while others were unharmed, they were left shaken by the event.

Details surrounding the circumstances leading to the attack remain unclear, and the identity of the injured nurse has not been released. HCA Florida Healthcare issued a statement expressing their concern for the injured nurse and support for hospital staff affected by the incident. “Our primary concern is with our beloved colleague, and we are praying for her recovery,” the statement read. “We are also grateful to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office who acted to detain the suspect and we are assisting law enforcement in their investigation.”