A woman has been charged with two felony counts after punching an Akron paramedic in the eye following a dispute over a medical transport decision, the Akron firefighters union said Wednesday.
Kevlyn Evans, 38, was indicted by a Summit County grand jury on felony assault and aggravated drug possession charges stemming from a March 28 incident at a senior apartment complex.
According to Akron Firefighters Association Local 330 President Kevin Gostkowski, two paramedics responded to the complex just after midnight for a medical call. After evaluating the patient, they determined that his condition was “code one,” meaning his medical condition did not warrant transport to a hospital under the department’s coding system.
While paramedics were on the scene, the patient’s daughter and granddaughter arrived and demanded that the patient be taken to the hospital. Gostkowski said family members became increasingly concerned after paramedics explained the coding system.
The paramedics then left the apartment, with family members following them outside.
“An individual opened the driver’s side door, reached in and struck one of our paramedics in the eye with a closed fist, causing a black eye and some swelling,” Gostkowski said. “He was then able to unbuckle his seat belt and get out, kind of subduing him. Then the rest of the family started attacking him from behind.”
Paramedics took control of Evans and took him into custody before Akron police arrived. Both paramedics were treated at a local hospital and returned to finish the overnight shift.
Gostkowski said the incident was particularly troubling given the circumstances.
“Sometimes human emotion takes over,” he said. “But it’s scary, especially at 12:30 at night when you’re not expecting it. You know, you’re not standing in front of somebody and they’re already having a verbal confrontation with you — to kind of be struck in the side and blindsided. It’s very uncomfortable.”
Gostkowski, who worked as an Akron paramedic for 14 years before becoming union president, said he hopes the city will implement self-defense training for paramedics to better prepare them for such situations.
“I don’t want violence to be the answer for anybody, whether it’s us, whether it’s firefighters, whether it’s the police department,” Gostkowski said. “Violence should never be the answer to solving problems.”
Evans’ case is being handled in Summit County Court of Common Pleas. Both paramedics have recovered from their injuries.
Akron Fire Chief Leon Henderson issued a statement Tuesday acknowledging the charges and condemning the attack.
“Assaulting a firefighter or paramedic is against the law, and will not be tolerated,” Henderson said. “Our firefighters and paramedics respond to emergencies every day with one purpose – to help people, solve problems, and provide care on what is often one of the worst days of a person’s life.”
Henderson also thanked law enforcement for their response to the incident.
“I want to thank the Akron Police Department and the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office for their commitment to investigating this incident and pursuing charges,” Henderson said. “Their work is essential to holding individuals accountable and protecting public servants who risk their own safety every day to help others.”
Henderson added that attacks on emergency workers have consequences beyond the people involved.
“When our employees are attacked, it threatens not only their safety, but the safety of our community’s entire emergency response system,” he said.
You can read Henderson’s entire statement below.
