Gunman Subdued for 2nd Assault at Arizona Hospital
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – If one time behind bars wasn’t enough, an ex-patient found himself handcuffed for the second time in two months after assaulting a Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn security guard on the morning of July 23.
At 9:15 a.m., 54-year-old Gilbert Frederick Tuffli III entered the hospital through an entrance on Fourth Street and headed for the administrative offices. In the hallway, he allegedly used his shotgun to fire two rounds at guard Gary Purcell. Purcell subdued and handcuffed Tuffli with the help of fellow guard Rowan Sutton.
Last May, Tuffli allegedly started a physical confrontation with the same two guards in the same hallway. He was subsequently arrested for assault and released pending his court hearing. He attended a pre-trial conference at Scottsdale City Court on July 20.
Tuffli currently faces charges of disorderly conduct, aggravated assault, discharge of a firearm within city limits and attempted second-degree murder. Hospital spokesman Keith Jones says they are uncertain whether Tuffli was targeting an individual, but the evidence suggests he was acting alone.
Three people, two of them hospital workers, suffered minor injuries from falling debris, but they refused treatment.
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