RALEIGH, N.C. — A 25-year-old North Carolina man faces felony charges after allegedly using his HIV-positive blood as a weapon against hospital staff, according to police.
Authorities say Kameron Gilchrist removed his IV during treatment for diabetes at UNC Rex Hospital in March and “sprayed” his blood into the eyes of a male and female employee attending to him. The arrest warrant states that Gilchrist “aimed his HIV-positive blood at the victims’ eyes,” exposing them to potential infection and causing irritation. It remains unclear whether either worker contracted HIV.
“On or about the date of offense shown … [Gilchrist] unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did assault [the workers] … by spraying HIV blood into eyes,” the warrant reads.
Gilchrist was arrested in September but was not immediately taken into custody due to ongoing medical and psychiatric treatment, local NBC affiliate WRAL reports. UNC Rex Hospital officials confirmed that violence against medical personnel has been increasing, but they declined to comment on specifics of the incident due to the active investigation. The hospital emphasized that protecting employee safety is a top priority and that it continues to coordinate with security and law enforcement.
Gilchrist has been held on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 8.