Patient Stabs Doctor Multiple Times In Head, Face While Being Treated In Pennsylvania Hospital

A patient repeatedly stabbed a doctor in the head and face while being treated in a Pennsylvania hospital on Tuesday.

The investigators identified the suspect as 35-year-old Rakeem Anderson, who was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, reported news outlet NBC 10.

Anderson was undergoing an examination in the hospital when he attacked his doctor, stabbing her multiple times. He continued to assault the female victim even as the hospital staff tried to pull him away from her.

Anderson was taken into custody shortly after the incident. The police recovered a weapon from the scene, The Philadelphia Inquirer said in a report.

The investigators have not revealed the identity of the victim and have not identified the cause of the assault.

"There was no danger at any time to other patients or staff in the hospital," Penn Medicine spokesperson said in a statement. "All hospital operations continue as usual, and we are cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation of this incident."

The hospital assured the public that it is working closely with the Philadelphia Police Department in response to the incident. The spokesperson also said the "swift action by hospital staff ensured that the physician received immediate care."

The victim is now in stable condition and was discharged after treatment.

Anderson has an active bench warrant in Delaware County. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has requested the court to order an evaluation of Anderson's mental health. He is also requested to be held in custody with a bail amount of $999,999.

In a similar incident on Nov. 26, 2020, a man was nabbed for attacking a fellow patient while being treated in a hospital in Wyoming. Patrick Rose, 53, was arrested after attacking a fellow patient and gouging out her eyes. The victim suffered serious trauma to the right eye, including a severed artery that could lead to loss of vision, and had a swollen left eye that was "to the point of bulging out of the socket," according to the court records.

Rose told the court that he had a traumatic brain injury and had stopped taking his medications. The incident is believed to be an extreme reaction after he quit the medication.