Man who stabbed 2 workers and threw objects at 2 others facing attempted murder, assault with a weapon charges
Halifax Regional Police has charged the man who attacked – and left injured – four individuals at a Nova Scotia hospital on Wednesday.
Nicholas Robert Coulombe, 32, has been charged with one count of attempted murder and three counts of assault with a weapon. He is also facing two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose.
The incident happened on Wednesday, at The Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre (QEII).
Halifax police responded to a report of a man with a knife at the hospital at around 1 p.m.
Coulombe – who was receiving care at the hospital – stabbed two hospital workers in the emergency room. He also injured two others – including another hospital staff – by throwing objects at them.
One of the victims sustained significant injuries, according to the police.
Police located and arrested Coulombe at the scene “without further incident” at around 1:10 p.m., according to the police.
Support programs available to Health PEI workers
“Our hearts are with our fellow healthcare workers in Nova Scotia this morning following the tragic incident at the Halifax Infirmary Hospital Emergency Department,” said Melanie Fraser, CEO of Health PEI.
“Incidents like this remind us we must use every tool and resource available to reduce the risk of violence and maintain a safe and supportive workplace.”
She noted that Health PEI has a Provincial Violence Prevention Policy and Program that sets clear standards for reporting, investigating, and addressing workplace violence, while ensuring follow-up support is available to all healthcare workers.
Staff who need assistance can also access the following resources:
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – information can be found on the Staff Resource Centre
- MindBeacon iCBT - Information can be found on the Staff Resource Centre
- Your Occupational Health, Safety & Wellness Team – Contact information can be found on the Staff Resource Centre
- Workers’ site leadership team
Those who have questions can also reach out to Lara MacMurdo, director, Occupational Health, Safety & Wellness at [email protected].
Incident raises safety concerns
Following the incident, Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU) president Sandra Mullen said that safety has long been at issue at the hospital.
“We did a report in 2023, where we had met with our emergency room department folks … and we formalized, you know, some recommendations, but security was No. 1," she said, according to a CBC report.
The union had previously recommended providing wearable panic devices that workers can use in times of “emergency department crisis”, according to the report.
They also recommended more support staff for waiting rooms, ensuring there are properly trained security and safety measures for these areas, and a separate waiting area for people visiting the ER with mental health issues.
After the incident on Wednesday, Mullen now wants to see metal detectors installed in the emergency department and further security measures taken to keep healthcare workers safe.
She also wants there to be a shorter wait time at the emergency department as long wait times in emergency departments “can lead to behaviour from patients that can make workers and other patients feel unsafe,” according to the report.
Meanwhile, Karen Oldfield, the interim CEO of the health authority, said that they are considering adding portable metal detectors to the emergency department and stationing police officers on site following the attack, reported CBC.
"The last thing we want to do is have a lineup out the door of people waiting to get through a metal detector," she said. "So we're going to find something that works for a high-intensity, fast-moving emergency department that … helps us in our quest to provide a safe and secure workplace."
For its part, Health PEI said it is actively implementing strategies to prevent workplace violence across all Health PEI sites., it said. These efforts include:
- Infrastructure improvements
- Implementation of security resources in high-risk settings
- On-going staff training
- Swift response mechanisms to address inappropriate behaviour efficiently
The police, Nova Scotia Health's security team, Occupational Health and Safety have all launched investigations following the Wednesday incident. There is also a quality improvement review from clinicians, and an internal review by Paladin Security, the security firm contracted by Nova Scotia Health, according to CBC.
