ST. ALBANS, VT — A woman faces multiple charges after allegedly pointing a handgun at staff and patients inside a hospital emergency department lobby and striking someone in the head with the weapon.
Erina S. Luciano, 53, of Alburgh and Enosburg Falls, was arrested April 25 at Northwest Medical Center after the incident, according to the St. Albans Police Department.
Police responded to the hospital’s emergency department at approximately 3:52 p.m. for a report of a woman who had entered the lobby with a firearm and assaulted individuals inside.
Officers determined that Luciano had driven her vehicle to the front entrance of the emergency department, then returned to her vehicle to retrieve a 9mm handgun before re-entering the hospital lobby.
Once inside, Luciano pointed the firearm at hospital staff and civilians present in the lobby, police said.
During the incident, Luciano struck a civilian in the head with the handgun.
Civilians and Northwest Medical Center staff intervened and were able to restrain Luciano and secure the firearm until officers arrived on scene.
Luciano was taken into custody without further incident.
No shots were fired during the incident.
Luciano has been charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, possessing firearms in hospitals, carrying a firearm while committing a felony and disorderly conduct.
She was held without bail and is scheduled to appear in Franklin County Superior Court on April 27 at 1 p.m.
