LAWRENCE, Mass. – A security officer at a Massachusetts hospital was arrested on charges of threatening to shoot up the hospital.
Fifty-four-year-old Thomas Hyatt had been employed by the Lawrence General Hospital for four months before he was arrested Feb. 12 while he was on the job. He was charged with two counts of threatening to commit a crime.
Police said employees at the hospital reported Hyatt made several threatening statements in recent months, one involving bringing a bomb to the building. Additionally, a co-worker said Hyatt showed him a gun at a nearby theater and said, “If I could carry this at work, all the psychiatric patients would be dead.”
For his part, Hyatt said his comments were taken out of context, and he denied the charges. He told police that he would never hurt anyone and that his statements were examples of how security at the hospital could be compromised during a work evaluation because security at the hospital is so minimal.
During a search at his home, police found more than a dozen handguns, and AR-15 assault rifle and many rounds of ammunition. State records showed Hyatt had more than 30 weapons registered to him, but he claimed that some had been sold or were at a consignment store.
During his Feb. 13 arraignment, Hyatt pleaded innocent. He was released on his own recognizance and was ordered to stay away from the hospital and to act in accordance with any restraining orders. District Court Judge Stephen Ostrachand also imposed a bail warning. If Hyatt violates it, he would be jailed for up to 60 days without bail.
Assistant District Attorney Jessica Strasnick, who is prosecuting the case, requested a $1,000 cash bail for Hyatt, and that he undergo a psychological evaluation and treatment.
The judge said Hyatt cannot possess any firearms. Police also seized the suspect’s licenses to carry firearms in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Hyatt’s pretrial hearing is scheduled for March 19.
