ER Healthcare Worker Brutally Beaten by Patient at UPMC Altoona

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified the victim as a nurse. It has not been confirmed whether the individual was a nurse or an emergency room technician. However, we can confirm that the individual is a healthcare worker.

A healthcare worker at UPMC Altoona is recovering after reportedly being viciously beaten by a patient in the emergency room over the weekend. Just before 10 a.m. on Saturday, police rushed to the ER for a call about a violent patient. Officers say they arrived to find the male staff member lying unconscious on the floor while other staff tried to help him.

According to police, the suspect, 40-year-old Bradley Scott Lloyd from Tyrone, tried to escape but was quickly located by staff and officers. After several tense minutes and tasers pointed at him, Lloyd finally surrendered, was heavily restrained, and sedated. He now faces multiple charges including aggravated assault and disorderly conduct.

Healthcare Worker Injuries

The staff member's injuries are severe: 

• A fractured skull 

• Bleeding in the brain 

• Broken tooth 

• Nasal obstruction

• Several cuts and bruises

The staff member was airlifted to UPMC Presbyterian for emergency surgery, and their condition is not yet publicly known.​

UPMC released a statement praising the emergency team for their swift and courageous actions, saying their quick response prevented further harm and ensured immediate care for their colleague. Hospital officials added that the leadership, crisis teams, and other resources are available to support staff, patients, and families affected by the incident.

“Our co-worker in the Emergency Department was the victim of a horrific attack by a patient on Saturday at UPMC Altoona.

While we must respect our colleague’s and their family’s privacy and cannot share medical details, we are encouraged by the positive updates we’ve received and remain closely connected with them and their loved ones.

We are incredibly grateful for the swift, courageous response of our UPMC Police and Emergency Department teams, whose actions prevented further harm and ensured our colleague received immediate care.

The individual responsible has been transferred to Blair County Jail and faces multiple charges related to the incident.

We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and will continue to support our injured colleague and their family throughout recovery.

We also recognize that this incident may affect many others, and our leadership team, CISM-ASAP, LifeSolutions, and Spiritual Care teams are available to provide support to anyone impacted.

We remain firmly committed to addressing violence against our healthcare workforce and to creating a safe environment for both our staff and patients.”

Lloyd is facing the following charges: 

• 18 § 2702 §§ A1 (F1) – Aggravated Assault: Attempts to cause serious bodily injury or causes injury with extreme indifference (11/01/2025)
• 18 § 2702 §§ A2 (F1) – Aggravated Assault: Attempts to cause or causes serious bodily injury to designated individuals (11/01/2025)
• 18 § 2702 §§ A3 (F2) – Aggravated Assault: Attempts to cause or causes bodily injury to designated individuals (11/01/2025)
• 18 § 2701 §§ A1 (M2) – Simple Assault (11/01/2025)
• 18 § 2701 §§ A3 (M2) – Simple Assault (11/01/2025)
• 18 § 2701 §§ A3 (M2) – Simple Assault (11/01/2025)
• 18 § 2701 §§ A3 (M2) – Simple Assault (11/01/2025)
• 18 § 2701 §§ A3 (M2) – Simple Assault (11/01/2025)
• 18 § 2701 §§ A3 (M2) – Simple Assault (11/01/2025)
• 18 § 2701 §§ A3 (M2) – Simple Assault (11/01/2025)
• 18 § 2701 §§ A3 (M2) – Simple Assault (11/01/2025)
• 18 § 2701 §§ A3 (M2) – Simple Assault (11/01/2025)
• 18 § 2701 §§ A3 (M2) – Simple Assault (11/01/2025)
• 18 § 2701 §§ A3 (M2) – Simple Assault (11/01/2025)
• 18 § 5503 §§ A1 (M3) – Disorderly Conduct: Engaging in fighting (11/01/2025)
• 18 § 5503 §§ A4 (M3) – Disorderly Conduct: Hazardous/Physical offense (11/01/2025)
• 18 § 5104 (M2) – Resisting arrest or other law enforcement (11/01/2025)

The investigation is ongoing, and the hospital community remains shaken but hopeful for the healthcare worker's recovery. Staff are now leaning on each other for support and have access to mental health, spiritual care, and crisis intervention resources.

🤔Nurses, share your thoughts in the discussion forum below!