SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police say a man stabbed a Geisinger security guard after hospital staff allegedly refused to give him pain medication.
According to the Scranton Police Department, officers were called for a security guard stabbed at Geisinger Community Medical Center on Mulberry Street around 10:00 a.m.
Once on the scene, police placed the suspect, Keith Tollet, 25, of Scranton, under arrest. Officers spoke with staff who stated Tolley was in the hospital for a possible seizure the day before.
Staff said Tolley complained of arm pain and requested pain medication but hospital staff refused to give medication resulting in Tolley ripping his IV out and attempting to leave the hospital, as stated in the affidavit.
Court documents report that Tolley’s mother suggested her son be taken for a mental health evaluation which further angered Tolley leading to him “charging after her.” Security guards tried to stop Tolley from leaving and during the struggle, Tolley stabbed one security guard with a knife, police stated.
Tolley was transported to the Regional Hospital of Scranton for mental health treatment where he admitted to the stabbing and said he had just wanted the guards to “go away,” the affidavit states.
Police have charged Tolley with recklessly endangering another person, simple assault with a deadly weapon, disorderly conduct, and harassment.
Tolley remains in the Lackawanna County Prison on a $50,000 bail.
