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Franklin Twp. man charged with threatening hospital staff

Darrel Kearns

A 72-year-old Franklin Township man was arrested Monday after allegedly threatening a pair of staff members at Butler Memorial Hospital and later showing up at the facility with a handgun.

Butler Township police said hospital security officers found Darrel L. Kearns shortly before 1:10 p.m. with a .45-caliber pistol, three loaded magazines, a knife and a flashlight.

Police said Kearns, whose wife was recently released from the hospital to a nursing home, allowed security officers to disarm him and no one was injured. Investigators confirmed Kearns holds a valid concealed carry gun license.

Kearns called the incident an “accident,” according to police.

See Wednesday's Butler Eagle to read the full story.

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