By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
- Wyoming, Minn. — Hospital security officer Andrea Merrell, 43, died after a Christmas Day assault outside M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center; a patient fleeing a medical hold allegedly pinned her to the pavement and struck her head. Police1
- Suspect charged: Jonathan Chet Winch, 35 (St. Croix Falls, Wis.) is charged with second-degree murder; held on $2 million bail; a mental competency exam was ordered ahead of a Jan. 27 court date. Police1
- Arrest scene: Police found Merrell unconscious next to a hospital security vehicle; after a struggle (including a Taser deployment), officers arrested Winch outside the ER. Police1
- Service & support: Friends say Merrell had long served in security and previously as a reserve police officer and in the fire department; a fundraiser has been launched for her family. Police1
WYOMING, Minn. — A Minnesota hospital security officer was killed on Dec. 25 after a patient broke a medical holdand attacked her outside M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center, according to charging documents. The victim, Andrea Merrell, 43, suffered fatal head injuries after the assailant allegedly pinned her to the ground and struck her repeatedly. She was transported to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where she died. Police1
Prosecutors charged Jonathan Chet Winch, 35, with second-degree murder. Police said Winch forced past magnetic doors and fled the ER; arriving officers found Merrell down beside a marked security vehicle. When confronted, Winch jumped onto a squad car, then advanced on an officer who attempted to deploy a Taser. After a several-minute struggle, additional officers arrived and took him into custody. A judge set $2 million bail and ordered a competency evaluation; records list Jan. 27 for the next court appearance. Police1
Friends described Merrell as “tough” and community-minded, noting prior service as a reserve police officer and with a fire department. Fairview Health Services called her “a valued member of our security team” and praised her courage and professionalism. A donation page has been created to assist her family. Police1
The case renews attention to workplace violence in health care. Federal data show the sector has the highest incidence rates of on-the-job violence among private industries, and Minnesota hospitals are now required to submit annual violence-prevention action plans to the state—measures that will be compiled and reported to lawmakers beginning January. Police1