Rockville Centre hospital security guard's family seeks answers after ER beating

The family of a Rockville Centre Mercy Hospital security guard is seeking answers from his employer and justice after their loved one was severely beaten by a patient while he protected a doctor.

The wife and children of Gardy Coriolan, 63, who has worked at Mercy for the past 28 years, said Tuesday he remained in a coma with 90% brain damage. Coriolan was assaulted about midnight Thursday and then went into cardiac arrest.

Nassau County prosecutors charged Eduard Lopez, 28, of Freeport, with second-degree assault after police said he allegedly punched Coriolan in the face causing him to fall on a bed in pain, according to court records.

Lopez was a patient in the emergency department at Mercy Hospital, where officials said security responded "and de-escalated the situation. A short time later, one of our security officers experienced a medical emergency."

Coriolan is a retired New York City Correction officer and also worked security for Uniondale schools for the past 16 years, his wife said. He is the father of six children and has five grandchildren, according to family members.

He had told them about his safety concerns for security personnel in the hospital, describing the department as short-staffed and employees in danger when dealing with combative psychiatric patients.

Coriolan's wife, Sonya, and his daughters pointed to text messages he had sent about combative patients and about the department being short-staffed.

"I feel that they failed my husband. They didn't protect my husband, and I feel that there's blood on someone's hand, and it's my husband's because this could have been avoided," Sonya Coriolan said. "This didn't have to happen, and this individual that assaulted my husband should know he belongs to someone. He's a husband, he's a grandfather, he's a brother, he's a son, he's a very important person to this community. I want justice for my husband."

Family members said they are still trying to get more information about the attack, in which they were told Coriolan was punched in the chest. The family is seeking video surveillance of the attack.

A statement Tuesday from Catholic Health, which manages Mercy Hospital, said that "at the time of the incident, the security team was fully staffed and worked together to subdue the patient. We remain focused on ensuring the well-being and safety of everyone in our Emergency Department."

Lopez had a hospital arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges and bail was set at $15,000 cash or $37,500 bond. He was unable to attend court Tuesday while still hospitalized, prosecutors said. His Legal Aid defense attorney could not be reached for comment.

Nassau County prosecutors said they are still reviewing the case with homicide detectives.

"The DA continues to investigate as part of our prosecution and has reached out to the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad," district attorney officials said in a statement. "The office is reviewing our options in this case, including the possibility of upgraded charges."

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.