Fort Smith police say an intruder who caused an hours-long lockdown at Mercy Hospital on Monday is now in custody.The man, identified as 34-year-old John West, was reportedly in possession of a water pistol that was painted black to look like a real firearm. Fort Smith Police say he pointed it at a security guard after being confronted on the campus.
People inside the hospital were warned to find a safe place to hide and to create barricades. Law enforcement searched every floor of the hospital until they found West in a small box in the corner of a classroom. West still had the water pistol when he was arrested in the afternoon, according to Aric Mitchell with the Fort Smith police department. He also had a physician’s tablet and laptop.
West is facing charges of aggravated assault, felony theft, and impairing the operation of a vital public facility following the incident. West being held without bond.
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