Ft. Chiswell (WSLS 10) - A doctor was stabbed twice as he was leaving a clinic in Ft. Chiswell Wednesday night according to Chad Melton, the CEO of Wythe County Community Hospital.
The hospital owns the outpatient clinic where it happened.
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According to the Wythe County Sheriff's Office, Dr. Paul A. Williams was leaving the Fort Chiswell Medical Center, located across the street from Fort Chiswell High School, in Max Meadows shortly after 8 p.m. when someone stabbed him in the stomach and shoulder. The clinic was closed at the time.
Deputies said Dr. Williams had exited through the back door and was immediately approached by a man wearing a dark hoodie with the hood pulled up around his face who asked him, "Are you Dr. Williams?". Dr. Williams replied, " I am but we are closed". The suspect then stated, "I'm going to teach M F'er. You need to write more scripts for pain meds."
After making that statement the suspect immediately stabbed Dr. Williams in the stomach. Deputies said Dr. Williams tried to re-enter the Medical Center and the suspect again stabbed him in the back right shoulder.
Dr. Williams told police that when he was stabbed he immediately turned and knocked his assailant off of him and reached inside his pocket and hit the panic alarm on his vehicle. When the suspect heard the panic alarm he ran around the building out of sight.
Dr. Williams said he then re-entered the Medical Center, called 911, and started treating his wounds until the rescue squad could arrive. The doctor was brought to Wythe County Community Hospital where he was seen by a trauma surgeon.
Thursday morning, the doctor was released from the hospital in stable condition.
The Sheriff's Office is taking the lead on the investigation but the suspect is still out there. Melton said at this time they do not know if the suspect is a patient. Investigators will meet with staff to see if there had been any previous issues at the clinic or with the doctor.
The Wythe County Sheriff's Office said schools and businesses in the area are not under lock-down. Deputies said they're making extra patrols in the general area of Wednesday night's assault.
Anyone with information regarding the assault on Dr. Williams is asked to the Wythe County Sheriff's Office at 276-223-6000.
Earlier deputies sent out photos of this vehicle - they say it is no longer a vehicle of interest.
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