Violent Patient Attacks Nurses, Tears Oxygen Line & Starts Fire at Seattle Hospital

On February 15, 2026, a 29-year-old male patient caused over $100,000 in damages during a destructive rampage that included attacking staff and creating dangerous fire hazards at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA.

According to reports from KOMO News, the incident began around 10:15 a.m. when Seattle Police responded to calls about a patient "trashing a trauma room" inside the hospital. The patient, who had been treated the previous night for wrist injuries and cleared for discharge, became enraged and initiated a violent outburst targeting both the facility and its staff.

The situation escalated quickly as the patient began throwing items around the room, physically assaulting nurses and security guards through spitting and kicking. In a particularly dangerous turn of events, the patient broke an oxygen valve, creating a significant fire hazard, and then deliberately set medical equipment ablaze in a bucket. Staff and security personnel were forced to restrain him to prevent a potential explosion from the flowing oxygen fueling the fire.

This incident represents the type of workplace violence that has become increasingly common in healthcare settings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers are nearly four times more likely to experience workplace violence than workers in other industries. Emergency departments, like the one at Harborview, are particularly vulnerable to such incidents.

Dr. Lisa Wolf, Director of Emergency Nursing Research at the Emergency Nurses Association, notes that "violence against emergency nurses is a serious and pervasive problem that has only worsened in recent years. These incidents can lead to physical injuries, psychological trauma, and professional burnout."

Fortunately, no staff injuries were reported in this case, which speaks to the effective emergency response protocols in place at Harborview. The hospital administration praised staff for their swift and coordinated response in containing what could have been a catastrophic situation.

Charges

The patient now faces multiple serious charges including assault, arson, property destruction, and interference with a healthcare facility. Reports indicate he had a history of assaulting law enforcement and active warrants at the time of the incident.

As healthcare facilities continue to address the growing concern of workplace violence, incidents like the one at Harborview provide valuable, if troubling, case studies for improving safety protocols. While nurses remain committed to providing compassionate care to all patients, their own safety must be prioritized through robust institutional policies, adequate staffing, appropriate security measures, and ongoing training for violence prevention and response.

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Crime