An ambulance was struck by a bullet May 27 while transporting an unruly patient to a hospital in Chicago, reports the Chicago Tribune.
Paramedics were responding to a call on Chicago's South Side around 4 a.m. The patient, 19-year-old Latorya Thigpen, reportedly exhibited aggressive behavior when she regained consciousness in the back of the ambulance, hitting, kicking and scratching the paramedics. The patient's family members also grew agitated, pounding on the back of the ambulance and trying to enter the vehicle.
During the commotion, paramedics heard a "loud fireworks-like burst" that turned out to be gunfire, according to the Chicago Tribune. One bullet struck the ambulance's passenger side door, but did not pass through into the vehicle.
The shooting reportedly occurred at a house eight lots down from the ambulance.
"My gut tells me, after talking to everybody … the ambulance probably was not shot at," Chicago Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford told the Chicago Tribune. "It might have been from the altercation down the street."
Ms. Thigpen was treated at Chicago-based Holy Cross Hospital and released to the Chicago Police Department, according to the report. One paramedic was also treated at Holy Cross for his injuries. Police charged Ms. Thigpen with two counts of felony aggravated battery to a public safety officer.