HOUSTON – An inmate took a medical student at Ben Taub Hospital hostage Thursday morning before a deputy shot him twice, investigators said.

The shooting happened just before 10 a.m. at the hospital located in the Medical Center.

According to Houston police, the inmate, identified as Ricky Lynn Hall, was about to be discharged from the hospital when a Harris County deputy, who was working security on the fifth floor, heard a scream.

Kese Smith, with the Houston Police Department explained, "He heard a scream from one of the rooms. And when he went to check it out, he found the suspect with one arm wrapped around a female medical with a metal object to her neck."

Police said Hall told the deputy that if he wanted him to let the hostage go, he would have to shoot him. The deputy ordered Hall to drop the weapon, but Hall refused. With the hostage in tow, Hall walked toward the deputy, and the deputy backed away.

Investigators said that when Hall began pushing the sharp object into the hostage's neck, the deputy shot him twice.

Shelia Nunley, a woman at Ben Taub at the time of the shooting said, "Oh my god, we on the sixth floor. They right below us. We could've been down there. It was scary. It could've been worse, because he could've gotten away and it could've been where it was more shooting all over the hospital or through the hospital."

Hall underwent surgery for his wounds, and at last check was listed in critical condition.

Authorities believe the sharp metal object that Hall used was likely a piece of headphones given out to patients by the hospital.

Police said the shooting is still under investigation.

