UPDATE: A man reporting to be the father of a man with a knife at Northwest Community Hospital early Saturday said in a telephone call that he had brought his son to the Emergency Room entrance when his son displayed a knife to a nurse that came outside to help at the Emergency Room driveway entrance.
The staff at Northwest Community Hospital called 9-1-1. The Arlington Heights police responded immediately and called for assistance from mutual aid police departments.
The man’s father continued on the phone Saturday evening, saying that about 40 police officers responded and sealed off the area of the Emergency Room and the parking garage. Police also brought an armored vehicle to the scene right next to the Emergency Room doors.
The man’s father said he pleaded with police not to harm his son, and said he was worried about a scenario unfolding similar to recent reports of police violence in the news. The police replied that they were not there to hurt his son, and that they were there to help him. The man’s father said his son surrendered and police lowered his son face down outside on the Emergency Room driveway. The father said police showed so much care in lowering his son that his glasses didn’t even move from his son’s face. He said the police handled the incident very professionally.
He said his son was admitted to the hospital and that there were no injuries. He also said his son did not hold anyone hostage.
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ORIGINAL: Arlington Heights police and firefighter/paramedics responded about 4:29 AM Saturday to a report of a patient with a knife at Northwest Community Hospital, 800 West Central Road Arlington Heights, IL. Police and firefighter/paramedics received a report that a patient had a knife in the triage bay at the Northwest Community Hospital Emergency Room.
Prospect Heights police SUV was one of several police vehicles at Northwest Community Hospital early Saturday morning.
Firefighter/paramedics staged near the facility.
The incident appeared to have prompted an ILEAS and/or NIPAS response. Several neighboring police agencies responded to the incident including Elk Grove Village, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights, Streamwood, and others.
At least two police officers in SWAT-like gear were seen near the Emergency Room entrance.
The incident appeared to be resolved by about 6:00 a.m. with police clearing the scene about then.
Arlington Heights police would only say that the incident is “under investigation.” There was no police confirmation whether anyone was held hostage or whether there were any injuries.
Police in SWAT gear at Northwest Community Hospital early Saturday morning.
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