Man shot, killed inside Novant Health was Irma evacuee, police say

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — A man shot and killed by officers inside Novant Health's Huntersville Medical Center Sunday night was a Florida evacuee who was escaping Hurricane Irma, police confirmed.

According to investigators, officers were called to the hospital on Gilead Road shortly before midnight to investigate reports of a man with a gun who had fired several shots.

Officers confronted Joseph Cook, 76, who they said was still armed.

Officials said that officers Michael Joseph, 32, and Travis Watts, 27, felt threatened by the man's actions and fired several rounds, striking and killing him.

Investigators said Cook was living in Deland, Florida, which is just outside of Daytona Beach. They said he was heading to New York to evacuate, but stopped Saturday in Charlotte.

“This is a very early stage,” said Huntersville police Chief Cleveland Spruill. “We're still trying to piece together why he was there and took actions he did."

Police credited nurses for getting patients out of harm's way before the fatal confrontation.

Selma Boyd was on the second floor of the hospital just before midnight when she heard that urgent warning.

“An announcement came on the intercom that it was an active shooter and to take necessary precautions,” Boyd said.

She ran to take cover.

"I went into the bathroom, got on the floor and I stayed there," she said.

The State Bureau of Investigations has been called to investigate the shooting, and the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

Channel 9 reached out to Novant Health to find out what their protocols are in active shooter situations.  Officials released this statement:

"At Novant Health the safety of our patients and team members is at the forefront of everything that we do. We have plans and processes in place to respond to emergencies at our facilities, including on-site security. The emergency procedures were followed at Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center today. Our team did everything they were trained to do to de-escalate a volatile situation and keep our patients, their families and friends, and Novant Health team members safe." 

Novant Health also said it is providing its team members with the support that they need while they process the situation.

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