Psych Nurses Call 911 as 15+ Youth Patients Violently Attack, Police Blocked From Entering
On March 8, 2025, at around 8:30 PM, a chaotic and scary incident occurred at UofL Peace Hospital in Louisville, when approximately 15 juvenile patients started fighting, became violent and out of control -- then assaulted staff. Multiple staff members were violently attacked by the juveniles and were forced to hide inside a locked area of the nurse’s station, where they desperately called 911 for help while patients attempted to break down the door. Those 911 calls were released and revealed shocking details about the events and the reasons behind the delayed police response.
One of the most shocking details is the fact that police arrived at the site only 14 minutes after the first call was made, but hospital security would not allow the police officers to enter the facility. The reason why? "They are not allowing us to come inside to assist them because of our weapons, "one police officer reported.
The key events were:
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Juvenile patients assaulted staff members, including nurses and mental health technicians.
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Multiple staff members were injured.
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Nurses and staff were forced to lock themselves behind closed doors at a nursing station for safety.
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911 calls revealed staff pleading for help, describing the situation as out of control.
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When Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) officers arrived, they were denied entry to the hospital.
The LMPD officers were kept away from the scene because:
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Hospital security refused to let officers enter due to their firearms.
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The hospital had a policy prohibiting weapons on the premises.
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There was no designated area for officers to secure their weapons before entering.
Aftermath:
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The situation was eventually brought under control by hospital security and staff.
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UofL Peace Hospital CEO Andrea Lewis resigned 12 days after the incident, citing personal reasons.
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The hospital implemented additional security measures and enhanced training to improve safety.
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The policy regarding police entry with weapons was clarified to prevent similar issues in the future.
This incident raised concerns about staff safety and led to some employees calling out sick in the days following the event.
911 Calls Released
After several staff members were violently attacked by the juveniles at the hospital and were able to lock themselves in a room, they began calling 911. The first 911 call came in around 8:30 p.m.-- Nurses reported that about 15 juveniles were fighting, and staff were overwhelmed.
“We’ve lost control,” one nurse told the dispatcher. “The kids, they’re out of control.” Another added, “I can’t get out there to help. There’s not enough .” As other staff members speak, the 911 Dispatcher is heard repeating, “One patient is bleeding from the lip. He was punched in the head and strangled.” Other callers reported that they did not have enough staff to stop the juveniles and repeatedly pleaded with the dispatcher. “Please send them. Please send them.”
Yelling and banging can be heard in the background as staff report that the attackers were trying to break into the room where they were hiding and tending to their injured coworker.
"That's one of the patients banging. He's banging on the wall at the nurse's station," a staff member stated.
While the police officers arrived less than 15 minutes after the first call, records show that they were not allowed to enter the building due to their weapons.
Listen to the 911 calls here:
According to UofL Health, their policy does allow law enforcement to enter facilities with their authorized weapons when needed. "There has been recent communication and education to reemphasize that policy allowing officers access when called. Measures including additional security and enhanced training have been taken at Peace Hospital to ensure safety for both patients and staff,” Heather Fountaine, UofL Health Media Manager, said.
Their CEO resigned following the incident.
Are We Really Safe? A Look at Safety Measures
A primary concern is the adequacy of safety measures to protect psychiatric nurses from potential harm. This includes the availability of security personnel, the effectiveness of emergency response protocols, and the overall work environment. Many psychiatric facilities are often understaffed, leading to increased stress and a higher risk of incidents. It’s crucial to examine whether the staffing levels at UofL Peace Hospital were sufficient and if the staff had the necessary resources to handle emergencies effectively.
According to a study by the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 75% of psychiatric nurses have experienced workplace violence at least once in their careers (APNA, 2021). Ensuring adequate staffing and robust safety measures is not just a good idea—it’s a necessity.
Systemic Issues: More Than Just Staffing
Imagine being in a crisis and realizing the walkie-talkie you depend on to call for backup is malfunctioning. Or worse, you’ve never been properly trained on how to use the emergency alarm system. A key example of this is a case where a psych nurse was strangled, murdered, and robbed by a patient on her lunch break when her security belt failed to work. These are not just hypothetical situations; they’re real concerns that can have dire consequences.
Ongoing Challenges
The incident at UofL Peace Hospital has highlighted several critical issues that need to be addressed within psychiatric facilities. It’s essential for all stakeholders to come together to address these issues and ensure that psychiatric facilities are equipped to provide the highest quality of care to their patients while ensuring the safety of their staff.
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