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“The officers reacted immediately and were able to keep the firearm pointed down as they brought the accused to the ground,” police said.

During the struggle, the inmate fired two rounds and a third jammed in the firearm, Det. Sgt. Jay Finn said. The first round struck a man in the foot and the second hit a wall, Finn said.

Additional correctional officers who were at the hospital with another offender responded, the firearm was secured and the accused was brought under control.

The man who was shot suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He had been visiting a loved one at the time of the shooting and went into surgery that night.

Jason Godin, president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers, said that both of the officers involved are very experienced and are doing as well as can be expected.

“They’re shaken up,” Rob Finucan, the union’s Ontario regional president, said. “It could have been a lot worse.”

Dr. David Messenger, head of the emergency department, said on Tuesday that staff were debriefed shortly after the incident, but they feel “violated.”

“This was terrifying and traumatizing for staff,” Messenger said.

All hospital staff also received an email letting them know support services are available.

On Monday evening, there were at least three inmates in the department with various medical issues. In the ward where the incident took place, there were nine full beds, two to five patients in the hallway and 10 to 15 staff working.