Lowell, Massachusetts – A Lowell man, Jean Paul Durand, was convicted of assaulting a nurse with a fire extinguisher at Lowell General Hospital in 2021. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan’s office announced that Durand was found guilty of two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury. The incident occurred on July 31, 2021, leading to Durand’s arrest by Lowell police who responded to reports of an assault taking place at the hospital.
During the attack, Durand struck a nurse in the head twice with a fire extinguisher as she was working at a desk. Another nurse intervened to distract Durand, who then chased after her with the extinguisher before hospital security managed to apprehend him. The nurse sustained serious injuries from the assault, emphasizing the risks that healthcare workers face in their line of duty.
In response to the incident, Lowell District Court Judge Pacifico DeCapua sentenced Durand to a two-year suspended sentence in the Middlesex House of Correction. District Attorney Ryan highlighted the importance of holding individuals accountable for such acts of violence to ensure the safety of healthcare workers. She emphasized the need for measures to reduce workplace violence and protect those who serve in the healthcare profession.
Ryan’s statement following the trial served as a call to action to address the daily risks that nurses encounter while carrying out their duties. The swift and violent nature of the attack underscored the necessity for increased efforts in preventing workplace violence. The case of Jean Paul Durand stands as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by healthcare workers and the essential need for safeguarding their well-being in the workplace.