St. John security staff use Taser on unruly patient

Longview WA March 24 2013 Security guards at PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center used a Taser to subdue a 23-year-old Kelso-area transient early Wednesday morning after he became disorderly and was kicked out of the hospital, police said.
Justin Anthony Howe admitted himself to the hospital early Wednesday for an “unknown medical reason,” Longview police spokesman John Reeves said. A short time later, Howe refused to let staff members treat him and became disorderly. Security staff escorted Howe outside where Howe threatened to assault them.
Howe then threw a book at one security guard and lunged at them, Reeves said.
One of the guards shocked Howe with his Taser. Police were called to the hospital just after the incident, around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to a dispatch report.
Howe was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on suspicion of fourth-degree assault and interfering with a health care facility.
Howe was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of obstructing, harassment, shoplifting and first-degree trespassing after he was accused of stealing two pairs of socks from Macy’s in Kelso’s Three Rivers Mall, then swinging a metal bar at security staff as he tried to flee.
source-TDN.com