VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach police said they were on scene at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital Friday afternoon.
Virginia Beach police said a suspect is in custody and the situation was NOT an active shooter situation.
Right around 4:30 p.m., Sentara released the following statement:
“There is no active shooter at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital and there is no threat to any staff, patients or community. The Virginia Beach Police Department is handling the incident and all future updates will come from them.”
A spokesperson for Sentara initially told 13News Now that the hospital had gotten the all-clear just before 4 p.m.
According to a release from VBPD, an officer had attempted to take a man into custody when an altercation happened.
The man, identified as Matthew Christie, 38, had attempted to flee.
When the officer caught up to him in a stairwell at the hospital, a physical struggle between the two began that ended in the accidental discharge of the officer's weapon. Christie had been trying to disarm the officer.
No injuries were reported from the discharge and Christie was taken into custody.
Christie's arrest comes in the aftermath of a homicide investigation, according to the release.
The Virginia Beach Police Department responded to the 2400 block of Loran Court on October 16 for a welfare check.
When they arrived, they found Christie's mother, 74-year-old Linda Christie, deceased. Christie was also at the scene and had serious injuries, which prompted his transport to Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital.
Christie faces charges of first-degree murder and malicious assault.
You can read the full release below: