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

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

  • DHS to End ‘Shoes-Off’ Travel Policy

    Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a new policy today which will allow passengers traveling through domestic airports to keep their shoes on while passing through security screening at TSA checkpoints. Read Now

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.