Patient Trying To Escape From Alabama Hospital Stabs Nurse In Chest With Pocket Knife

A 54-year-old man from Alabama is facing second-degree murder charges for stabbing a nurse in the chest with a pocket knife while trying to flee the hospital he was admitted to.

Steve Collins, 54, of Opelika, was arrested Thursday, the same day of the incident, Opelika Auburn News reported, citing court documents.

The victim, whose identity has not been revealed, works at East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) and is currently recovering. Collins was reportedly under her care when he tried to leave the hospital.

"(Nurse's name redacted) stated that she followed him down the stairs and outside near the Psychiatric Unit when she observed Collins with a knife in his hand. At this point, she attempted to re-enter the hospital, but her key card/ID would not open the door. Collins approached her and stabbed her in the chest once. The victim stated she began to struggle with Collins, who then stopped and stated 'you're going to die anyway' before walking off," the deposition filed in Lee County Circuit Court read as per CBS 42.

The nurse was rushed to the emergency. Opelika Police were alerted, and they managed to locate Collins sometime later in a nearby parking lot. His clothes were bloody and the folding knife used to stab the victim was recovered from him, court documents said. Investigators said Collins had thrown the knife from his shirt pocket.

EAMC Spokesperson John Atkinson said the nurse was stable and recovering. "While trying to help with treatment, one of our nurses was assaulted by the patient. A short time later, the patient left the hospital and was apprehended by our hospital security staff and the Opelika Police Department officers, who are stationed on campus 24/7. This was an isolated incident, and we are working with the OPD in their investigation," he stated.

Collins was booked into the Lee County Detention Facility on an Assault Second Degree charge and later released on a $25,000 bond.

Last week, a Pensacola woman was arrested after she assaulted four hospital workers who tried to restrain her while she was acting erratically. Police said Roseanna Denton had punched one nurse in the groin, kicked her in the chest, then spat on her. She kicked another one in the face and scratched his ear, drawing blood. Denton clawed at two others who suffered seemingly mild injuries.