A Freeport man was arraigned on grand jury indictment charges of assault for allegedly attacking two security staff members at a Rockville Centre hospital as medical personnel attempted to administer medication to him.
On October 16 at approximately 12:05 a.m., Eduard Lopez was being treated at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre. After appearing agitated, the medical staff attempted to administer sedative medication to calm him down, and multiple security guards were called in to assist.
As medical personnel attempted to administer the medication, Lopez allegedly attacked the security staff. One security officer suffered substantial pain after being struck in the face and body by the defendant.
A second security officer — a 62-year-old retired New York City Correction Officer — was struck in the head and body. The victim left the room and walked toward the nursing station, where he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest.
The victim was unresponsive with no pulse and efforts were made to revive him. He was taken to the hospital’s intensive care unit, where he was treated with life-saving medical intervention. The victim remains on life support.
Lopez, 28, was arrested on October 16 by members of the Nassau County Police Department. He was arraigned on December 10 before Judge Colin O’Donnell on grand jury indictment charges of three counts of Assault in the Second Degree (a Class D violent felony) and two counts of Assault in the Third Degree (a Class A misdemeanor).
Bail was set at $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, and $2.5 million partially secured bond. Lopez is due back in court on January 9, 2026. If convicted, he faces up to 2-1/3 to seven years in prison.
“Irate and unwilling to accept help from medical professionals, this defendant allegedly violently charged, punched, and kicked at security staff trying to restrain him so that medication could be administered,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “Both security guards suffered injuries in the altercation, but a 62-year-old guard hit during the attack went into cardiac arrest after stepping out of the room and collapsed. Though emergency intervention saved his life,he remains, months after the aggressive encounter, unresponsive and on life support. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones as we prosecute this defendant.”