Linda Clark of Hubbard, a greeter in the hospital's emergency department, was the victim of a stabbing incident at 2:23 p.m. Sunday while at work.

 

Clark received a stab wound to the neck, was immediately treated by the emergency department staff for a neck wound, and underwent surgery. Clark was flown by medical helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital, where she remains in the trauma unit.

Authorities immediately arrested 30-year-old Justin Michael Delfratte of Sharpsville outside the hospital.  Delfratte was arraigned on a charge of attempted criminal homicide. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on November 20.

Police say Delfratte had been discharged from the emergency department after being refused narcotic pain medications. When he was offered non-narcotic medications, police say Delfratte approached and stabbed Clark, who was seated at the greeter's desk.

 

According to Pennsylvania court records, Delfratte has a history of drug charges dating back to 2001.

 

According to a news release from Sharon Regional, the hospital has implemented a number of increased security measures as an added precaution to insure the safety of its employees, patients, and visitors. These measures include an increase in the physical presence of security staff, additional use of electronic surveillance and screening techniques, and the implementation of increased security procedures and protocols.

The release says that the Health System will evaluate these options both on a short term and long term basis related to its overall security plan for its main campus in Sharon, as well as its satellite facilities in Hermitage, Mercer, Neshannock, Brookfield, and Hubbard.

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