OCALA, Fla. –
A bank robbery suspect was shot by a police officer Thursday morning after he escaped while receiving medical treatment at Ocala Regional Medical Center, according the Ocala Police Department.
The suspect, identified Friday as Jonathan Rollins, was arrested Wednesday in connection with an armed robbery at the Bank of America on State Road 40. During the arrest, Rollins fell and complained that he was injured, authorities said.
Rollins was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center for treatment at 11:54 p.m.
His handcuffs were removed so he could receive an X-ray, Ocala Police Deputy Chief Rodney Smith said.
As staff members were trying to take an X-ray, Rollins attacked a female hospital staff member, deputies said.
Rollins, 40, grabbed scissors from a desk in the exam room and threatened the hospital staff and the officer with them, according to a news release.
One Ocala police officer shot Rollins two times when he did not comply with commands to drop the scissors, Smith said.
"In my opinion (the officer) saved a life," Smith said. "That's doing the right thing."
Rollins is expected to survive. He remains hospitalized and will be transported to the Marion County Jail when he is released, officials said.
Smith said the man had a criminal background before he was arrested and charged with robbery without a firearm or dangerous weapon. Additional charges are pending.
Hospital staff members suffered minor injuries during the incident, authorities said.
The officer involved has been on the Ocala police force for more than 25 years, according to the police department.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials will investigate the shooting, which is standard procedure for an officer-involved shooting.
This is the first officer-involved shooting of the year for Ocala police.