Patient With Loaded Gun Arrested At Blake Hospital: Bradenton Police

BRADENTON, FL — An armed patient faces charges after loading a gun at Blake Hospital early Wednesday morning, according to a Bradenton Police Department news release.

Jamekeyra Ulisa Levertt-Chapman, 37, of Sarasota was arrested and charged with introducing a firearm into a hospital and possession of a concealed weapon without a concealed weapon permit, which are both felonies.

Around 2:15 a.m., police dispatchers received a 911 call from a hospital staff member who said that a woman in the emergency room was seen on surveillance cameras loading a gun in her purse, BPD said.

The first officer to arrive at the hospital, around 2:20 a.m., entered through an ambulance bay where the caller was located. The staff member who called 911 identified Levertt-Chapman as the suspect to them. She was taken into custody by police without incident.

While waiting for officers to arrive, the suspect was approached by a security guard, who took the gun from her purse, police said.

After they arrived, investigating officers took the gun — a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380 handgun, a semi-automatic weapon with an incorporated laser — from the security guard.

They also found a high-capacity, drum-style magazine with 36 loaded rounds, two magazines with a total of 13 loaded rounds and 14 loose rounds in Levertt-Chapman’s purse, police said.

Witnesses told investigators that they saw her loading bullets into a magazine.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Jeff Beckley at 941-932-9356 or by emailing BPDTips@BradentonPD.com.

Anonymous tips that are eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000 can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 866-634-8477 or at manateecrimestoppers.com.