Nurse Stabbed at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

A nurse suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a man allegedly stabbed her in the ear with what was believed to have been pencil at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center today, authorities said.

At 9:20 a.m. the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Santee resident Thomas Robert Fredette, entered the hospital in the 1000 block of West Carson Street after clearing a weapons screening area, said Lt. Rich Burgoyne.

Fredette came across a group of nurses, grabbed one of them from behind and stabbed in her in the ear with a sharp object, Burgoyne said.

She was able to free herself to get away and helped County Services Bureau deputies locate the suspect, who was taken into custody at the scene, the lieutenant said.

A pencil, believed to be have been the weapon, was recovered as evidence, Burgoyne said.

The victim received medical treatment and he injuries were said to be non-life-threatening injuries.

Fredette was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and was being held in lieu of $130,000 bail. He is due to appear at Los Angeles Superior Court's Torrance Courthouse Tuesday.

An investigation was ongoing.

--City News Service