Family says they tried to get man mental health help before alleged beating
By James Stratton
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MILWAUKEE (WISN) — A new video that 12 News Investigates obtained from Milwaukee Police shows an attack inside Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee in the early morning hours of May 4. The suspect’s family says they tried to get him mental health help hours before.
Kenneth Flagg, 36, is charged with battery to a health care provider or family, use of a dangerous weapon, and substantial battery, use of a dangerous weapon. He is currently held on a $10,000 bond.
Prosecutors say a 38-year-old physician assistant was treating Flagg for anxiety and insomnia on Monday, May 4. Prosecutors say Flagg had a large Milwaukee Tool battery with him in the hospital. His brother, James, says Flagg uses it to charge his phone.
Video from inside the hospital shows the pair talking for 36 seconds until prosecutors say Flagg repeatedly struck the physician assistant in the head with the power block. Police heavily redacted the video sent to 12 News Investigates in a public records request.
Video then shows hospital workers and security swarm the pair, subduing Flagg. Prosecutors say the physician assistant suffered four cuts to his scalp that required 11 staples, another cut on his jaw that required medical glue and a chipped tooth.
James says his brother Kenneth has bipolar disorder and PTSD. He says his brother served in Afghanistan in the Army. Flagg served in the army for six years including two tours in Afghanistan, from August 2009 to August 2010 and from June 2012 to March 2013, and left the army as a sergeant, according to U.S. Army spokesperson Christopher Surridge. He earned a plethora of awards, including three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals and more.
James says he took the 36-year-old to Milwaukee’s VA medical center hours before the encounter inside Columbia St. Mary’s.
“My understanding is they [the VA] gave him a prescription of whatever prescribed medicine they giv him generally and just sent him about his way,” he said. “So, nothing really.”
A spokesperson for the Milwaukee VA did not answer questions Tuesday.
James says after leaving the VA, the pair were together for hours. Then, after spending the night in a hotel, he believes his brother walked to Columbia St. Mary’s for more mental health help.
Ascension, which owns Columbia St. Mary’s, did not have a representative available for an interview Tuesday, but an Ascension Milwaukee spokesperson did send the following statement.
“We have no tolerance for violence in the workplace and take threats and acts of violence seriously. We have increased security presence at this hospital and, in response to acts of violence in healthcare facilities across the nation, we are actively discerning additional security measures. Our hospitals and facilities are focused on healing, and we are committed to fostering a safe, welcoming environment for all. We stand firmly with our caregivers and associates, whose safety is our top priority. Across our Ascension Wisconsin facilities, we continually assess and adapt our violence prevention and security protocols which include strategies such as visible security measures, de-escalation training, threat assessment tools to identify risks early, and guidance from cross-functional Workplace Violence Prevention Committees.”
The public defender’s office appointed an attorney for Flagg on June 18. He is currently held on a $10,000 bond.
“To my knowledge, from him, he’s getting better help from the jail nurses than he’s ever had from the VA,” James Flagg said.
This story has been updated to add Flagg’s service from the U.S. Army.
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