Inmate facing attempted murder, weapons charges after Code Silver incident at Kingston General Hospital

A federal inmate who had been taken in for treatment at Kingston General Hospital on the night of Monday, Nov. 19, 2018 is now facing several attempted murder and weapons-related charges after he gained control of a Correctional Service Officer’s handgun and fired multiple shots inside the hospital, injuring one person in a nearby ward room.

Kingston Police say that on Monday, Nov. 19, Ward was found unconscious at a Federal Correctional Institution and required immediate medical care. The condition was not as a result of interaction with staff or fellow inmates. He was rushed to Kingston General Hospital Emergency Department by ambulance, while being escorted by two Correctional Officers from Correctional Services Canada.

Ward was in leg restraints and handcuffed to the front. He was initially cooperative and the handcuffs were removed to permit him to use the washroom. When the inmate exited the washroom and before he could be re-handcuffed, the accused reached out and grabbed one officer’s firearm, pulling it from the holster. The officers reacted immediately and were able to keep the firearm pointed down as they brought the accused to the ground. During the struggle on the ground the firearm was discharged and a bullet is believed to have traveled near the floor, striking the victim in a lower extremity. The victim suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. A second round went off as the officers continued to struggle with the accused, and struck a wall. Additional correctional officers who were present at the hospital with another offender and hospital security quickly subdued Ward and the Code Silver was lifted shortly after 6:30 p.m.