OBERLIN, Ohio — Authorities have confirmed that six people were exposed to an unknown substance after officers responded to an overdose call at a Walmart store in Oberlin, Ohio, on Tuesday afternoon that triggered a hazmat situation and decontamination procedures at nearby Mercy Health Allen Hospital.
According to police sources, the hazmat situation started when officers responded to a drug overdose in the Walmart parking lot. While they were interacting with the person who overdosed, police were exposed to a substance that caused them to become unresponsive.
Hazmat situation started when police were called for a suspected overdose in Walmart parking lot in Oberlin. During response ofc&suspect were exposed to substance which caused them to become unresponsive according to police. #WEWS pic.twitter.com/GKNzOVrJ3v
— Tracy Carloss (@TracyCarloss) October 29, 2019
The unknown substance is now being tested at the Lorain County crime lab, police said. A total of six people came into contact with the substance or the suspect. The emergency room at the hospital was temporarily closed for mandatory decontamination.
The Oberlin Police Department has asked the public to stay away from the Walmart store for the time being.
Breaking: Hazmat situation in Lorain County. Sources tell me it happened at a Walmart and those exposed are being brought to Allen Hospital to be decontaminated. #WEWS pic.twitter.com/IofRf51PeW
— Tracy Carloss (@TracyCarloss) October 29, 2019
Authorities have not released any additional information.
This story was originally published by Drew Scofield on WEWS.
