By Michael Donoghue, Vermont News First

An unidentified hospital patient is getting credit for helping to disarm and detain a woman who brandished a handgun at patients and staff in the emergency department at Northwest Medical Center on Saturday, St. Albans Police said.

Erina S. Luciano, 53, of Alburgh and Enosburg Falls, is facing multiple criminal charges including aggravated assault and carrying a firearm while committing a felony, police said.

She was overpowered by a male patient in the waiting room and, with the help of hospital staff, the suspect was held until St. Albans Police and state police could arrive. The name of the hero patient was not released by police.

Luciano drove her vehicle to the front entrance of the Emergency Department about 3:50 p.m. Saturday and went inside to seek medical assistance, police said. Luciano later returned to her vehicle, retrieved a 9-mm handgun, and re-entered the hospital lobby.

Once inside, Luciano pointed the firearm at hospital staff and civilians present in the lobby.

During the incident, Luciano struck a civilian in the head with the handgun. The handgun was secured as Luciano was held by civilians and Northwest Medical Center staff, police said.

No shots were fired during the incident, police said.

Luciano also is facing charges reckless endangerment, possessing a firearm in a hospitals, and disorderly conduct.

She is due for arraignment in Vermont Superior Court in St. Albans on Monday afternoon.

St. Albans Police lodged her at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday, jail records show.

A long social media exchange, including a woman using the same last name said the defendant has been dealing with mental health issues. One poster noted that her 8-year-old child had been traumatized by the incident at the hospital.

The social media discussion also centered on the lack of mental health services in Franklin County and elsewhere.

Police Chief Moe Lamothe said St. Albans Police acknowledged the swift actions of the civilians and Northwest Medical Center staff whose intervention helped prevent further harm.

This investigation remains active, he said.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the St. Albans Police Department at (802) 524-2166.