RALEIGH, NC – Prosecutors have charged a 25-year-old man from North Carolina with felony assault after hospital staff members were reportedly attacked with blood during a medical emergency earlier this year.
Kameron Gilchrist is accused of deliberately spraying his HIV-positive blood at two healthcare workers while they were caring for him for diabetic complications at UNC Rex Hospital in March, according to police. Investigators allege that Gilchrist removed his intravenous line and intentionally directed the blood toward the faces of the workers, resulting in exposure to the virus.
An arrest warrant states that both a male and a female staff member were targeted during the incident. While the victims reportedly suffered eye irritation and potential HIV exposure, it is unclear if either contracted the virus. Police documents indicate the assault took place as Gilchrist was receiving ongoing medical treatment at the facility.
Following the event, Gilchrist did not face immediate arrest. Law enforcement records show he continued to receive medical and psychiatric care before he was ultimately taken into custody in September. He has since remained in jail on a $25,000 bond, awaiting a court appearance slated for December 8.
Hospital officials would not disclose specifics about the attack, citing the ongoing investigation. However, they acknowledged an increase in violent incidents involving patients and emphasized staff safety as a critical concern. Steps are reportedly being taken to collaborate with local law enforcement and enhance on-site security procedures in response to the event.
The alleged assault highlights growing national concerns about workplace violence in the healthcare industry, where reports of attacks against doctors, nurses, and other staff members have surged in recent years. Medical professionals in hospitals and clinics often face unpredictable and sometimes hazardous situations as they treat patients.
The case underscores complicated legal and ethical questions hospitals confront when treating individuals with behavioral issues or communicable diseases. North Carolina law imposes strict penalties for assaulting emergency personnel, particularly when there is a risk of transmitting infectious diseases.
Gilchrist remains incarcerated as legal proceedings continue. Authorities have not commented further on the investigation, and the health status of the victims has not been publicly disclosed.
UNC Rex Hospital reaffirmed its commitment to providing a safe environment for both patients and employees, vowing to support the affected workers and strengthen preventive measures moving forward.