Family Sues Hospital Over Security Guard's Death

The family of Bobby Smallwood, a security guard fatally shot at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in July 2023, has filed a $35 million wrongful death lawsuit against the hospital. The lawsuit alleges that Legacy Health failed to enforce its own security policies, inadequately screened for weapons, and created a culture that tolerated workplace violence. The shooter, PoniaX Kane Calles, who had a history of threatening hospital staff, was not removed despite multiple aggressive incidents leading up to the shooting. The lawsuit criticizes the hospital for only using metal detectors at one entrance and for discouraging staff from reporting violent incidents. After the shooting, Calles fled and was killed in a police standoff, highlighting failures in communication and security protocols at the hospital. The Smallwood family seeks accountability for the shortcomings that they believe led to their son's death.