A patient accused of confronting others in HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital was subdued by police using an electric shocking device, and found with pepper spray and a knife, according to Fort Pierce Police.
William Francis Laurie, 67, was arrested on 12 felony charges, including eight counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, and three misdemeanor charges, following events that began about 11:35 p.m. May 12, records show.
Laurie, whose city of residence was not immediately clear, was booked in June 2 at the St. Lucie County jail after being medically cleared for release from the hospital where he was a patient, according to Fort Pierce Police and the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.
Police went to Lawnwood hospital after dispatchers reported a man in a hospital gown “was acting erratically and running through the halls on the third floor of the hospital with a firearm,” an affidavit states.
Investigators found Laurie in a second floor stairwell with two items, including what was described as a blade, in his hand, the report shows.
Police reported Laurie did not drop the items as directed. He was shocked with a Taser device and handcuffed.
Police reported recovering a “pepper spray blaster,” which resembled a firearm, and a knife from Laurie.
Investigators spoke to a number of hospital staffers and a patient who reported various alleged threatening encounters with Laurie. Some thought he had a firearm and feared for their lives.
“I’ma (expletive) y’all up,” Laurie is quoted as yelling while running in a hallway.
Laurie also is accused of discharging pepper spray onto another patient at the hospital and of punching him in the face. That patient reported feeling as if he was going to die.
Investigators reported finding two containers of what appeared to be marijuana in a bag in Laurie’s room. The suspected pot was expected to be tested.
Laurie was released June 3 from the St. Lucie County Jail on $166,000 bond, according to information from the sheriff’s and clerk’s offices.
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida patient jailed after pepper spray, knife incident in hospital
Reporting by Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers | USA TODAY Network
