Jail inmate takes deputy’s gun at Dayton hospital, kills self

The Montgomery County Jail inmate was undergoing treatment at the hospital just after 1 p.m. when the inmate reportedly assaulted the deputy assigned to guard the inmate, whose name also was not released.

“The deputy persistently fought to maintain control, but unfortunately, the inmate was able to seize the deputy’s firearm and flee the premises, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement,” says a press release from the sheriff’s office.

One round was fired inside the hospital, said Assistant Chief Eric Henderson of the Dayton Police Department. No Kettering Health employees or patients were injured.

Kettering Health Dayton police radioed Dayton officers who already were in the area and responded to help find the inmate.

Police found the inmate in a house in the 100 block Squirrel Road. They heard a gunshot from inside the house and forced entry due to concerns about anyone inside, Henderson said.

Police reportedly found the inmate with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Medical personnel responded to treat the inmate, who was pronounced dead shortly after, the sheriff’s office said.

There is no indication the inmate had any connections to the residence, Henderson said.

A witness told the Dayton Daily News that the inmate pointed a gun at a resident after fleeing the hospital and before entering the house.

The sheriff’s office requested Dayton police to lead the criminal investigation. Henderson declined to comment on why the inmate was taken to the hospital. He also did not say why the inmate was in jail.

In June 2022, a Montgomery County inmate shot and killed himself and a security guard after taking the guard’s gun while at Miami Valley Hospital.

Brian Booth, 30, was being treated in a private emergency department room when he overpowered 78-year-old Darrell Holderman of Franklin and took his gun before shooting him and fleeing.

Booth shot himself in the hospital parking lot, according to Dayton police.

Holderman was working for Merchants Security, which contracted with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office to provide security for inmates admitted to the hospital. Holderman had multiple skull fractures and lacerations to his hands from the struggle with Booth, according to police.

Following that incident, the sheriff’s office announced it will have deputies stay with inmates who are taken to area hospitals for health care needs.

Where to get help

The 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 800-273-8255 for free and confidential support and connection to resources.

The national Suicide and Crisis line can receive texts at 9-8-8 .

A national hotline that is available for use is the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis line, where crisis resources are provided to individuals by a trained crisis counselor.

If someone in a mental health crisis is at immediate risk or immediate risk to others, call 911 or one of the following county agencies: