By Laura French
STONY BROOK, N.Y. — A man who allegedly carried three explosive devices into a university hospital emergency department was first reported by an EMT who “followed his instincts,” the university said in a statement Thursday.
The incident at Stony Brook University Hospital took place Tuesday night, when a man carrying a backpack and wearing what was later identified as a tactical vest entered the ED waiting room, according to the university’s statement. The man requested to visit a patient, and when he was denied due to COVID-19 restrictions, he went into a restroom in the waiting room area.
The EMT, who was assigned to the ED for triage services, reported to hospital security that the man seemed suspicious. Security then called University Police and the man was removed from the hospital.
Officers later found a BB gun in the man’s possession and a suspicious device in the backpack, according to the university. A security zone perimeter was established around the hospital as the Suffolk County Emergency Service Section Bomb Squad and Canine Unit searched the ED and examined the backpack which was determined to contain three operable explosive devices. More devices were reportedly found during a search of the suspect’s residence.
Robert Roden, 33, was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal contempt and criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. Additional charges are pending and the FBI is evaluating the devices.
The university expressed “tremendous gratitude” to the EMT who alerted security as well as the responding agencies and investigators.