Hospital Security Officer Stabbed While Intervening in Oakland Emergency Room Attack

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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA — A hospital security officer and a visitor were injured early Saturday morning after a man allegedly carried out a knife attack inside the emergency department waiting area of Highland Hospital in Oakland, according to authorities and local reporting.

The attack occurred around 3 a.m. on October 10 at Highland Hospital, located at 1411 East 31st Street.

The initial victim, identified as Joshua Parks, said he had accompanied a friend to the hospital after the friend suffered a broken leg.

According to Parks, he was helping his friend with crutches near a wheelchair in the emergency department waiting area when an unknown man suddenly attacked him from behind.

Parks told KTVU FOX 2 that he did not initially realize he had been stabbed until his companion alerted hospital personnel that his neck was bleeding.

The attack left Parks with four puncture wounds to his arm, back and neck. He received medical treatment for his injuries, which authorities later described as non-life-threatening.

A hospital security officer intervened during the confrontation and attempted to detain the attacker before responding deputies arrived.

During the intervention, the security officer was also stabbed in the side of the head.

 

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the security officer's injuries were not life-threatening.

Authorities identified the suspect as 35-year-old Charles Atkinsonrodgers of Oakland.

The suspect was taken into custody and subsequently booked into Santa Rita Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation.