Web-posted September 16, 1996

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Medical College of Georgia screens visitors in wake of shooting at South Carolina welfare office

By Wayne Partridge
Staff Writer

The mood was tense at Medical College of Georgia Hospital on Monday as reports circulated that a gunman might be on his way to the teaching facility.

Police say 36-year-old David Mark Hill of North Augusta shot and killed three people at a South Carolina welfare office at about 2 p.m. Monday. Less than two hours later, campus police were swarming MCG's first floor and had closed all but one entrance.

Mr. Hill's wife and infant son were patients at MCG Monday, authorities said, and officials were concerned that Mr. Hill might be on his way to the hospital with an intent to harm his wife.

Initially, staff members and visitors thought the extra security was part of a drill.

``This is scary. I hope he doesn't come shooting up here,'' said Robin Webster, who traveled from Pembroke to visit a patient in the maternity ward.

Beyond the first floor, where uniformed officers stood guard at entrances and patrolled the corridors, there was little visible sign that the hospital was operating in an ``emergency mode.'' Patients were fed on time, custodians mopped the floors and visitors were allowed in the hospital to see patients.

Police allowed people in and out of the hospital all day, but wanted to see specifically who was coming in.

By 8 p.m., only two officers were visible on the first floor, where more than a dozen were stationed four hours before.

``I didn't even know anything was going on. They just let us right through,'' said Derek Knight, who arrived at about 6 p.m. to visit his mother.

But most of the staff knew about the manhunt, and it was the dominant topic in conversations on the elevator, in the cafeteria and waiting rooms.

The hospital started circulating a letter explaining the security and apologizing for the inconveniences at 10 p.m. Monday and will give copies to all employees, patients and visitors Tuesday, said George Foster, director of public relations.

The letter says MCG will continue to restrict access to the hospital and control exits to guard against the type of violence that occurred at the DSS office, Mr. Foster said.

Staff Writer Kelly Daniel contributed to this article.