Florida man arrested for assaulting nurse, vandalizing emergency room, leading to hours of closure on August 6
NAPLES, FLORIDA: An unsettling incident unfolded at the NCH Northeast Emergency Department in Naples, resulting in the arrest of a 52-year-old Florida man, Louis Sepesi. On Sunday morning, August 6, at approximately 10 am, the disruption caused by Sepesi, resulted in the forced closure of the facility for nearly six hours.
During this period, the Collier County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) reported that a 52-year-old Florida man was allegedly involved in battering a nurse and causing significant property damage.
ER disturbance sparks closure investigation
The Collier County Sheriffs' Office stated that the Florida man is now facing two felony charges in relation to the incident. While it is believed that he initially sought medical treatment at the ER, his actions quickly escalated. As outlined in the police report, when the medical personnel attempted to relocate Sepesi, he responded by shouting, disrobing, and subsequently extracting a high-pressure water pipe from the wall. This action resulted in flooding the room, leading to substantial damages amounting to thousands of dollars.
“We’re a free-standing ER here so we don’t have the backup that we need for our safety and the other patients,” said the NCH spokesperson, while acknowledging the incident and confirming that it is currently under investigation. Despite the disruption, ER staff managed to provide the necessary care to the Florida man before he was taken into custody.
NCH reiterates commitment to safety
"The safety and well-being of our patients, visitors, and employees is our top priority on all NCH campuses. Earlier today (8/5), there was a disruption at the NCH Northeast Emergency Department (ED) which is now under investigation. The Emergency Department is open and patients should come to the ED if they have healthcare needs," stated the spokesperson, according to NBC.
Sepesi was supposed to make his first court appearance Monday, August 7. However, he didn't show up because of medical reasons. The Florida man is expected to be back in court on August 28th.
