PRINCETON, WV (LOOTPRESS) — Princeton police said they would seek arrest warrants for a man after a nurse spotted a handgun in his waistband at Princeton Community Hospital. Police said the gun had been reported stolen in Mercer County.
Officers responded to the hospital around 6:44 p.m. Oct. 30 after security reported a man acting disorderly and trying to leave. According to the police report, officers found hospital security following the man, identified as Marty Morgan, through the parking lot.
A hospital security officer told police that a nurse noticed the gun while caring for Morgan and alerted security. The security officer said he found the handgun inside Morgan’s jacket and took it from him. Police identified it as a Hi-Point 9 mm pistol.
The responding officer reported that Morgan smelled of alcohol, slurred his speech and had trouble keeping his balance. Hospital security turned over the pistol, alcohol, suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia that security said Morgan had brought into the hospital.
Police said a records check showed Morgan had a 2007 felony conviction for manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance. According to the report, Morgan told an officer without being questioned that he had the gun because a friend owed him money.
Officers took Morgan back to the emergency department for medical clearance. Hospital staff determined he needed to be admitted, and police left him in their care.
The officer said he would request warrants for receiving or transferring stolen goods, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and public intoxication.
