HIALEAH, Fla. – A psychiatric patient at the Larkin Community Hospital emergency room in Hialeah was arrested Sunday after a police officer was shot during a struggle with him, Hialeah police spokesman Sgt. Carl Zogby said.
According to an arrest report, police were called to the hospital after a patient, Elvis Perez, 25, became unruly and belligerent.
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Zogby said Officer Yandier Hernandez was the first officer to arrive and he attempted to take Perez in to custody.
Perez would not obey Hernandez's orders and a struggle ensued, causing both men fell to the ground, the report said.
Witnesses said they saw Perez strike Hernandez and reach for the officer's gun, which was secured in its holster.
While attempting to grab the gun, the firearm discharged, causing a scraping wound to Hernandez's right thigh.
Police said Perez was detained with the assistance of witnesses.
Hernandez, who has worked for the Hialeah Police Department for three years, was treated for his injury and released from the hospital.
No other injuries were reported.
Perez faces charges of battery on a police officer, resisting arrest with violence and depriving an officer of his means of protection.
He appeared in court Monday, where he was ordered to be held in lieu of $15,000 bond.