Atlanta Shooting Highlights Risk of Violence in Medical Facilities
States are pushing to increase penalties for those who commit attacks, as well as programs aimed at reducing the number of attacks.
One woman was killed and four others injured in a shooting that occurred at the Northside Hospital Medical Offices in Atlanta, this week. Megan Varner/Getty Images
ATLANTA - The deadly shooting in a medical office here in Atlanta earlier this week has highlighted a growing issue in the healthcare industry, and among state governments. Violence in medical facilities.
According to Atlanta Police, on May 3, a gunman opened fire in the 11th-floor waiting room of Northside Medical Midtown a medical building. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law that partially went into effect on May 2 allowing hospital systems the ability to create their own campus police force. In addition to the new law in Georgia, other states have passed legislation aimed at increasing penalties for assaults and preventing attacks.