Deputy shoots, kills man at UNC hospital in Johnston County
CLAYTON, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Johnston County deputy shot and killed a man Monday morning at UNC Healthcare Johnston, according to the sheriff's office.
The hospital is in Clayton off of N.C. Highway 42.
Chopper 11 arrived at the scene to find multiple police cars and tape blocking off the area near the entrance of the hospital.
Major Jeff Caldwell said a Johnston County Sheriff's deputy was leaving the hospital in a marked patrol vehicle just before 6 a.m. when he was confronted by a man who tried to take his gun.
The two men wrestled over the gun until the deputy managed to regain control and shoot the man.
The man died from his wounds. On Wednesday, the SBI identified him as Jose Luis Rincon Lopez, 24.
The deputy involved, Jonathan Lee, 32, has been placed on administrative leave with pay.
The SBI is leading the investigation, which is a standard protocol for an officer-involved shooting.
UNC Healthcare Johnston later released a statement, saying in part:
"There is no ongoing threat at the hospital campus. We are thankful that no hospital employees or patients were harmed and appreciate the rapid response by law enforcement. All areas of the hospital are open. However, our security team is escorting all patients and visitors to their areas."
No hospital workers or patients were injured, the hospital confirmed.
The hospital was on a modified lockdown until nearly noon, with minimal disruptions to day-to-day operations.
But it's still an event that worried patients and made for a very interesting day.
"Yeah, that was a little scary. I live here in Johnston County, right here in Smithfield, and to see all of that here is not something I was expecting," patient Deborah Morris said. "A lot of police tape, a lot of police cars, a lot of security guards standing around that I've never seen before."
Another patient, Don Curtis was worried about how things would be when he showed up for his appointment.
"Just down here every day, when I turn on the radio and news, there is a shooting," he said. "It's crazy."
