VCU Health employee fired after social media videos suggesting ‘sabotage tactic’

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health employee has been fired after social media videos surfaced of said employee suggesting multiple self-described "sabotage tactic[s]."

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, VCU Health shared a statement on its website and on social media about an employee's social media videos that it had deemed as "highly inappropriate."

The employee, Malinda Cook, was seen in social media videos describing what she called "sabotage tactic[s]" in at least one known video. The videos appear to have since been deleted, though they have continued to circulate online.

In one video, Cook outlined a "sabotage tactic" that medical providers could use, where one could fill a syringe with saline or a muscle relaxant.

"I thought of something good," the employee said in the video. "Sabotage tactic, or at least scare tactic. All the medical providers? Grab some syringes with needles on the end. Have them full of saline, or succinylcholine, you know, whatever, whatever, that will probably be a deterrent. Be safe."

In another video, Cook discussed steps to create a poison ivy or poison oak solution that could be poured into a water gun.

Cook also suggested that single women could use online dating apps to find ICE agents in the area, and while on a date, they could pour Ex-Lax, a laxative, in their drinks, according to another one of the videos.

VCU Police was assisting with an investigation into the videos, per VCU Health, which said that, in accordance with its policy, Cook was placed on administrative leave during this investigation. At that time, she was barred from VCU Health facilities and from interacting with patients.

Later Tuesday evening, VCU Health posted an updated statement, saying that Cook was terminated as a result of its investigation.

"Following an investigation, the individual involved in the social media videos is no longer employed by VCU Health," VCU Health said. "In addition, VCU Health has fulfilled its reporting requirements under Virginia state law.

Cook's videos surfaced following multiple deadly shootings at the hands of federal officers in Minneapolis -- one that killed Renee Macklin Good and another that killed Alex Pretti.

8News has reached out to Cook for comment but has not yet received a response.