FORT SMITH, Ark. — According to Fort Smith police, the intruder who caused an hours-long lockdown at Mercy Hospital on Monday, July 22, is now in custody.
The man, identified as 34-year-old John West, was found hiding "in a small box" in the corner of an educational room in the hospital at around 1:30 p.m., according to the release.
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Police said West had a water pistol that had been painted black to look like a real gun. When West was found, the release said he pointed the gun at a security guard. They also found that he had a physician's tablet and laptop, police said.
West is facing the following charges:
- Aggravated assault
- Felony theft
- Impairing the operation of vital public facility
West is being held at the Sebastian County Adult Detention Center on a $50,750 bond.
Hospital officials said West is a former patient and was banned from the hospital last week. They did not say why he is no longer welcome on the property.
Aric Mitchell with the Fort Smith Police Department (FSPD) said West pointed the toy gun at security when he walked in this morning. Hospital staff called 911 when they saw West on the property this morning.
"There were just so many people who promptly responded to make sure that this was a safe outcome and help us out in the process," Mitchell said. "We also want to thank Mercy Fort Smith for taking this seriously."
FSPD and other agencies were on the scene during the lockdown from around 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Mercy officials say patient care has since resumed, but they are still in the process of checking in with patients who were in the hospital during the lockdown.
Tessa Shea, a nurse in Mercy Fort Smith NICU remembers when the doors were locked down.
"We were stuck in there for hours," Shea said. "I said a big prayer. I got messages that my family was praying for me, and I was just scared because I was on the side of the hospital that [West] was on."
Medical student Marissa O'Donnell said she hid with staff in an exam room and "turned off the lights, put the exam bed in front of the door, and just sat in silence."
Becca Bradley, a patient who is currently undergoing cancer treatment was hoping to get bloodwork done, but when she tried to walk in "there were a billion cops out front."
On Aug. 5, Fort Smith police released bodycam footage of the arrest.
Timeline of events
The Fort Smith Police Department (FSPD) sent out an alert to the public at 10:36 a.m., stating that the armed suspect was inside the hospital.
Mercy posted on its Facebook page that an armed intruder went into the hospital at 10:56 a.m. and ran from security. The hospital said FSPD responded within minutes.
FSPD confirmed that officers from Arkansas State Police (ASP) and deputies with the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) worked with them to secure the scene.
At 11:24 a.m., the hospital said that officers continued to sweep the building. The post also said that Mercy Public Safety worked with authorities to help identify the suspect and protect employees and patients.
11:43 a.m. update:
Authorities are sweeping the building but did not encounter a suspect, according to FSPD. No injuries were reported at this time.
Sebastian County Emergency Manager Travis Cooper advised the public not to go to the hospital but, if they were already there, to stay in their vehicles.
An employee from a nearby business reported that they were also on lockdown.
12:05 p.m. update:
Mercy said the hospital's West and East towers were cleared at 2713 S. 74th Street.
12:40 p.m. update:
According to Mercy, Mercy Tower West (6801 Rogers Ave.) and Mercy Tower East (74th St.) returned to patient care. However, those buildings aren't part of the main hospital where the suspect was seen.
Lockdown continued on Mercy's main campus.
Fort Smith police shared a message on Facebook clarifying that no shots had been fired and no injuries had been reported.
"There was a man reported as armed with a gun who ran from security. Law enforcement is searching for the man at this time," the message reads.
1:18 p.m. update:
Mercy announced that authorities were still investigating but didn't have "reason to believe" that the suspect was at the hospital and all areas were reopened. Mercy said it was "safe to resume patient care."
1:42 p.m. update:
Fort Smith authorities report that the suspect had been found.
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