Sen. Ossoff Investigated at Atlanta VA Medical Center

ATLANTA — U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is opening an investigation into the Atlanta VA Medical Center, pushing for increased security.

The case comes months after a veteran who was experiencing a mental health crisis was shot and killed at a hospital after brandishing a knife in January. The GBI said Tuesday that the man, John Robert Smith, 58, of Decatur, appeared suicidal, pulled out a knife and lunged at another person when a federal VA police officer shot him.

Ossoff added that the investigation is aimed at asking questions aimed at highlighting how to strengthen the safety of veterans seeking care and staff at the Atlanta facility.

RELATED: Mother expresses grief over son shot and killed by police officer after brandishing knife at DeKalb VA hospital

He added that several security measures have been implemented since the incident, including weapons detectors that were added in April.

“I am pleased that Deputy Secretary Tanya Bradsher visited the Atlanta VAMC and that weapons detectors were added and installed at this facility in April. This should be the first step in securing not only the excellent and hardworking staff at the Atlanta VAMC, but also the Veterans who are cared for there,” Senator Ossoff said.

But he continues to pressure the VA hospital to install more security features.

“Therefore, I ask the VA to consider installing a badge entry system outside the emergency room so that only individuals with proper credentials can enter this vulnerable part of the facility,” he added.

11Alive previously spoke to Smith’s mother, Onnie Smith, after her son’s death, where she questioned why there was no one there to defuse the situation.

“I thought a police officer would have tried to calm him down,” she said. “If you can’t do that, you should have some kind of staff on site who can talk to the mentally ill.”

For more than a decade in Georgia, local, state and federal law enforcement have been trained as crisis intervention teams so they can de-escalate life-threatening situations, including those involving people in mental health crisis.

The VA did not say whether federal agents on duty that night had received that training.

Kim Jones of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Georgia previously said that while no law enforcement training can always be effective in every situation, CIT training has been a game changer.

“We know for a fact that CIT training for law enforcement officers has helped reduce shootings and reduced negative interactions with people who are mentally ill,” Jones said. “We know that law enforcement officers often come into contact with people who are going through a mental health crisis, so it’s really important that they know how to de-escalate those situations and how to handle them properly so that everyone comes out of that situation healthy.”

In its latest hospital ratings report, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services gave the Atlanta VA Hospital in Decatur just 2 out of 5 stars for overall quality.

In the survey, patients reported poor ratings of safety, patient experience, and timely and effective care.

In 2022, 11Alive’s investigative team had already reported numerous problems with the Atlanta VA facility, including month-long wait times leading to a lack of access to intensive care.

Recently, a new VA director took over on June 3, inheriting all the notorious problems.

“Veterans give their lives in service to this nation, and we must take every opportunity to ensure they receive the highest level of care,” Sen. Ossoff said in his letter. “That includes ensuring their safety in these care centers as well as ensuring that the incredibly skilled staff at these medical centers are protected. Veterans must be able to seek care in a safe medical center.”

Click here to read Senator Ossoff’s inquiry into VA Secretary McDonough.