Update: Ochsner Stabbing Suspect Is Caught
UPDATE:
A man accused of attacking nurses with a machete at Ochsner LSU Health is behind bars. 27-year-old Za’okoye Chatman faces a charge of second-degree battery. one of the victims is believed to be Chatman's mother. Both victims are expected to survive. The incident happened just before 2:30pm on Monday. The hospital was locked down as police responded.
One family member tells KTBS Chatman has not been stable lately because he has not been taking his medication.
WWL reports Chatman is "likely the same man who attacked and killed a Meraux man with a machete after an altercation at a gas station in New Orleans on Sunday.
The suspect in both cases was said to be driving an older model Saturn Vue and the description of the attacker was similar.
UPDATE: KTBS reports that multiple people were injured when a man attacked them with a large knife.
According to the KTBS report, as well as other published reports, witnesses in the parking lot said that the suspect was a relative. The witnesses indicated that he attacked his mother inside the building. Reports also say that two hospital employees were also injured during the attack.
At this time, there is no information on the description of the suspect.
ORIGINAL STORY: Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport is locked down and an investigation is underway. While there are very few confirmed details about the incident at the Hospital, this is an email we received a short time ago from Ochsner LSU Health:
The safety of our team, patients and community is our greatest priority.
An incident occurred at our Kings Highway Campus at approximately 2:30 p.m. today. Local law enforcement was immediately dispatched and hospital security initiated a Code Silver for the safety of our patients, visitors, staff and providers. An All Clear was issued at 4:00 p.m.
We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and will be sharing additional updates as available
Caddo 911 showed at least 18 units were dispatched to the hospital to respond to an 'armed person' call. However, at this time, there has been no statement issued by Shreveport Police or Ochsner LSU Health about what has taken place.
We are monitoring this As more information comes to light, we will keep you updated.