Man starts fires, threatens Wellstar West Georgia hospital staff while being treated at hospital
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A man is behind bars after starting fires inside a patient room at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center and threatening hospital staff.
LaGrange police officers responded to the medical facility at 1514 Vernon Road for a fire which began in a patients’ room around 1:52 Monday morning. Officers assisted hospital security and staff in subduing James E. Smith III, who had purposely started several small fires in the patient room.
Prior to being taken into custody, James E. Smith III advised the hospital staff that he had a gun and a bomb, and that the GBI needed to be notified because this was a hostage situation.
Smith then turned on the in-room oxygen system and continued to light fires in an attempt to cause an explosion in the hospital.
James E. Smith III was not on active probation or parole at the time of this incident. Smith was charged with Aggravated Assault, Arson 1st Degree, Terroristic Threats (Felony), and Battery.
If anyone has any information about this incident, please contact the LaGrange Police Department at 706 883-2603 or Troup County Crime Stoppers at 706 812-1000.
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