Man Held on Bail in Boston Medical Center Stabbing Case

Suspect Held on Bail After Boston Medical Center Incident

A man was ordered held on $50,000 bail after he allegedly stabbed a Boston Medical Center security guard during an altercation outside the hospital on Wednesday. The incident occurred outside Boston Medical Center and involved hospital security officers and 37-year-old Branden Bannister.

Charges and Court Proceedings

Prosecutors arrested Branden Bannister and charged him with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and trafficking cocaine over 18 grams. During his arraignment, Bannister hid from view. A Suffolk County prosecutor presented information about the events outside the hospital during the court hearing. Bannister is expected to return to court next month.

Details of the Altercation Outside the Hospital

According to prosecutors, video shows Bannister walking up to a security officer outside Boston Medical Center. The security officer responded by pushing him away. Prosecutors stated that Bannister could be seen reaching for his pocket, which prompted the officers to deploy pepper spray. A Suffolk County prosecutor said in court that safety officers were attempting to get Bannister under control outside the facility when one security guard realized he had been stabbed in the right leg.

The injured security guard then began hopping toward the hospital entrance and escorted himself to a trauma room. A second security guard was slashed in his protective vest during the same incident. No additional injuries were described in the information presented.

Alleged Drug Possession and Defense Statement

While searching Bannister, police allegedly found a bag containing a "white rock-like substance" believed to be crack cocaine. This discovery formed the basis of the trafficking cocaine over 18 grams charge listed by prosecutors.

Bannister's defense attorney, Tanvi Verma, stated that Bannister was at the hospital for the birth of his child when the altercation occurred. Verma said he was in a hospital room with the mother of his child while she was in labor and that she asked him to leave the room. According to the defense attorney, he left with his items and was then stopped by hospital security, who accused him of taking items that were not his. Verma said the items were his and that the altercation occurred at that point.

Reaction from Healthcare Workers' Representative

Cari Medina, executive vice president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, commented on the attack. Medina said the incident is part of a troubling trend in the area and stated that more needs to be done by healthcare institutions and state leaders to protect frontline workers who keep the healthcare system running.