Washington

Western State Hospital patient accused of assault on staff

A sign near the main entrance of Western State Hospital in Lakewood, Wash. (AP photo)

Prosecutors say a patient at Washington state's largest psychiatric hospital went on a rampage and assaulted four people before he was subdued.

The News Tribune reports the 38-year-old man, originally from Thurston County, appeared in court Wednesday on charges of felony harassment, second-degree assault, third-degree assault and fourth-degree assault.

The man was ordered held at Western State Hospital in Lakewood for a mental health evaluation before a June competency hearing.

Charging documents say the man began arguing with another patient Tuesday before speaking nonsense and head-butting a nurse in the stomach, picking her up and throwing her across the room.

Documents say the nurse hit her head and lost consciousness.

Documents say he then attacked another nurse, a counselor and another patient.

The man was eventually restrained.

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Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com