Wyoming Medical Center to Undergo Security Upgrades Following Shooting Incident

Wyoming Medical Center to Undergo Security Upgrades Following Shooting Incident

A medical center in Wyoming is increasing security after a man with a gun gained access to the facility and fired at two employees.

Wyoming Medical Center is considering and preparing broad upgrades to much of its security measures, including cameras and access control, after a man entered the hospital through a back door and fired a gun at two employees. 

Some changes have already been made while other details of the overhaul are still being examined, WMC officials told the Star Tribune last week. The administration and board of the state's largest hospital have laid the groundwork to better fortify the central Casper campus. 

The Casper Police completed an assessment of the building last week, and a second examination by a firm that specializes in health care security is upcoming.

The changes come four weeks after a Casper man, who later told police he was overdosing in LSD, entered the hospital through a back door after midnight on March 4. The man was armed with a handgun and shot a total of seven times at two WMC staff members, hitting neither, according to police records.

Mike Staley, the hospital's recently appointed chief administrative officer, praised a housekeeper who first encountered the armed man. He and other hospital officials said the staff did "everything right" during the incident, from reporting it immediately to seeking shelter and caring for patients.

“When she saw the shooter, she ran directly to the security desk, and the security desk notified the Casper Police Department,” Staley said. “They were inside in three and a half, four minutes, which is remarkable."

Officials say the hospital's security team is now more careful and regimented in after-hours access. Security keeps a log and checks with nurses before buzzing visitors into the building late at night. High-resolution security cameras are planned for those same entrances, so guards can also see who is at the doors.

The emergency department is now the only unlocked door in the building after 10 p.m., the officials said. Since the shooting, a local law enforcement officer has been stationed there to patrol the entrance. The emergency department is the only area in the hospital that has metal detectors and a continuously staffed security desk. 

The medical center is also looking into new cameras that would allow law enforcement dispatchers direct access to live feeds, so should another incident happen, first responders can be fed real-time updates.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • 7 Reasons Why Governments Need to Regulate AI

    Recently, Elon Musk unveiled two remarkable AI applications. A humanoid robot named Optimus, with its remarkable human-like speech and movements, and a fully autonomous car, absent steering wheel and pedals, called Cybercab. While these examples represent a broad trend of AI integration across industries, they highlight technology’s transformative potential, prompting a need for regulation to ensure it is used responsibly, securely and ethically. Read Now

  • OR Code Phishing on the Rise According to New Report

    KnowBe4 recently released its Q3 2024 Phishing Report. This quarter's findings reveal the most frequently clicked email subjects in simulated phishing tests, demonstrating the continued efficacy of HR and IT-related phishing attempts. KnowBe4’s Q3 2024 Phishing Report reveals that HR and IT-related phishing emails claim a significant 48.6% share of top-clicked phishing types globally. Despite evolving techniques by bad actors, phishing emails remain among the most prevalent tools for executing cyberattacks. Read Now

  • United HealthCare CEO Killed in Targeted Attack in New York City

    United HealthCare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in a targeted attack early Wednesday in Manhattan Read Now

  • Theft, Crime Driving Retail Workers to Look for New Jobs

    More than four in ten retail workers in the U.S. say they are likely to leave their current job in the next 12 months due to personal safety concerns, according to new research conducted by the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) in partnership with Verkada. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame. 3

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure. 3

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions. 3