Man accused of attacking staff at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside

A man was charged with assault after Nassau police said he "became irate" and attacked hospital staff at Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital in Oceanside on Monday evening, throwing a table at one nurse and striking another in the head with his hand.

John Prunty, 22, also struck and tried to choke two members of the hospital security staff when they attempted to restrain him, police said.

Responding officers arrested Prunty, charging him with multiple counts of assault, attempted assault and criminal obstruction of breathing/blood circulation.  Prunty, who is unhoused, faces arraignment when medically practicable, police said.

A hospital spokesman said six hospital employees were injured during what he said was "an altercation with a patient." 

"The employees were treated and released. Police were called. Mount Sinai South Nassau is grateful that no employees were seriously injured and that the patient is safe," spokesman Damian Becker said. 

"The safety of our staff and patients is paramount," he added. 

The assault occurred just after 7:20 p.m. when hospital staff reported to police that Prunty had become irate and was attacking staff members. It was not immediately clear why he was at the hospital — or what triggered the alleged outburst.

Additional details were not immediately available and the extent of any injuries to staff members was not known.

Newsday's Matthew Chayes contributed to this story.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.