OBERLIN, Ohio — Police confirm seven people were treated after being exposed to an "unknown substance" in Lorain County Tuesday.
Oberlin Police Chief Ryan Warfield says officers were called to the Walmart off Highway 20 for a suspected overdose in the parking lot. Once there, a suspect and one police officer were apparently exposed to the substance (which authorities suspect is some sort of opioid) and became unresponsive.
In addition, five other people were exposed at Mercy Health Allen Hospital on Lorain Street. While operations remained intact, residents wer asked to avoid the hospital emergency room and non-emergency patients were diverted away from the hospital for several hours.
However as of Tuesday evening, the hospital has given the 'all clear," and is no longer diverting patients.
An update on the sanitation of the Walmart has not yet been provided.
All patients are said to be in stable condition. The substance is currently being tested.
You can watch Chief Warfield's press conference in the player below: