- February 28, 2025
Suspect attempted sexual assault in hospital room.
BY WAYNE GRANT | STAFF WRITER
Updated noon, Jan. 7
The suspect who killed himself Sunday morning at Halifax Health Medical Center attempted a sexual assault on a staff member before he died of a gunshot wound, according to the incident report by Daytona Beach police.
Halifax Health is the largest hospital in Volusia County with 678 beds and draws patients from throughout the area including Ormond Beach.
The suspect has been identified as Jonathan G. Rodriguez-Jeff, 20. His last known address was in Deltona and police said he had been in the U.S. National Guard.
The investigation revealed that at about 4 a.m. on Jan. 5, the suspect shot out the glass door entrance to the Professional Building after shooting at cars on Clyde Morris Boulevard and in the parking lot.
Once inside, he made his way to the second floor and confronted a nurse and patient inside a room. The suspect asked them, “Do you guys want to die tonight?” He then left the room and the nurse shut the door.
The suspect then entered a room occupied by a hospital staff member and patient. The suspect pointed the gun at the staff member and asked if she wanted to live or die and if she wanted the patient to live or die.
She told him she wanted to live, and the suspect told her to perform a sex act on him. She said, “please no” and he struck her on the top of the head with the gun.
He then told her to get on her knees and she complied. She said she had a disease but the gunman said he didn’t care and opened his pants.
She said she grabbed the gun and started shouting for help. She managed to get the gun from being pointed at her and heard it go off. She said she “looked at the suspect and realized he shot himself.” At that point police officers entered the room.
The medical examiner took custody of the body.
A statement issued by the hospital said that the entire facility was locked down during the incident.
“We are thankful no one was seriously injured,” said John Guthrie, director of corporate communications. “The Halifax Health security department, medical staff and the Dayton Beach Police Department did an exemplary job in minimizing the risk.”
There were only minor injuries to two staff members from being hit with the gun.
