A suspicious package that was determined to be a lunchbox caused traffic tie ups and confusion at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem Tuesday morning. But the eventful morning wasn’t over quite yet.
Shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, police received a call about shooting at the Gold Express store on Hawthorne Road, about a mile and a half from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Police said a clerk was shot during the holdup and three men fled in a vehicle.
Soon after, a description matching the suspects was reported near the hospital. Authorities said the men, who apparently were carrying weapons in their vehicle, had fled into one of the Medical Center parking garages with police in pursuit.
The hospital was placed on lockdown.
Ian Austin of Winston-Salem was visiting for a doctor’s appointment when the incident occurred. He said he was shocked by what he saw unfold.
“It looked like the Swat team. Officers in green outfits and they had big guns and there was quite a few officers. It was like something crazy has happened at the hospital,” said Austin.
All three suspects have been arrested. Winston-Salem police said one of the men was found on Lockland Avenue, while the other suspect was found in a chapel inside the hospital.
By 12:20 p.m. the forensic team was already clearing the crime scene and a car was also being towed away in the parking garage.
One Wake Forest Baptist security officer, who was injured during the pursuit, is listed in fair condition. Police say the employee at Gold Express sustained non-life threatening injuries and is in stable condition.
