ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — A man was shot in an Elizabethtown hospital by an officer early Saturday morning.
Around 5 a.m. Saturday morning, the Elizabethtown Police Department responded to reports of an active shooter at Baptist Health Hardin in Elizabethtown.
Chris Denham, a spokesperson with Elizabethtown Police mentioned in a press conference that the suspect fired shots near the emergency room before officers arrived at the scene.
According to authorities, officers arrived on the scene within minutes and made contact with the suspect, identified as 39-year-old George Lee Jr. of Radcliff, who was armed with a handgun. An officer fired his weapon, striking the Lee who was alone.
Elizabethtown Police Department is investigating the shooting at the hospital.
Lee was airlifted to a local hospital with critical injuries, not believed to be life-threatening. He remains in critical condition, according to Denham.
Police say Lee was the only person injured at the scene. Police are unaware of why and how he entered the hospital.
"I've never encountered anything like this at this hospital. This is something we prepare for, train for daily hoping it never happens. This speaks volumes to the level of training that our officers receive," Denham said. "They respond effectively and neutralized the threat in an impressive way."
Due to this being a critical response, the officer involved in the shooting is on two weeks of paid administrative leave.
A spokesperson for Baptist Health Hardin released a statement following the shooting.
"While we are grateful that our staff, patients and visitors were not physically harmed, we ask the community to join us in supporting those who were involved. We wish to thank our staff and Security team for their efforts and commitment to safety, and special thanks to the Elizabethtown Police Department for their quick response and professionalism during this incident – and their continued efforts toward maintaining a safe environment at our hospital and in our community."
Authorities are also commending hospital staff and security for their prompt response to the armed suspect.
"I really want to commend the efforts of the Baptist Health Hardin security staff," Denham said. "They contacted an armed gunman, unarmed. We're really really proud of them for the job they did."
Ryan Williams was at the hospital for routine testing during the incident, but says he didn't know anything out of the ordinary was going on inside.
"Everybody seemed pretty pleasant and friendly," Williams said.
But, he added he was shocked to hear about the incident.
"It's just the times we live in," Williams said. "It's just not getting safe in this world."
Michael Klemowski heard about the shooting from his sister, who works at Baptist Health.
He said it was hard for him to hear about an officer involving shooting this close to home.
"Now I'm just really upset and concerned for the community," Klemowski said.
Kentucky State Police will be investigating the officer-involved shooting.