HUNTINGDON, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Huntingdon man is facing multiple charges after a violent confrontation with emergency room personnel and police officers at Penn Highlands Huntingdon Hospital on Tuesday, Aug. 15.

Zachary Larson Jamison, 28, was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and harassment following the incident. According to the criminal complaint, Jamison became hostile with hospital staff and first responders, requiring a coordinated effort to subdue him.

The incident began when Huntingdon 911 dispatched officers from the Huntingdon Borough Police Department to the hospital. Officers arrived to find several emergency room workers on the ground, struggling to restrain Jamison, who was actively resisting and spitting at staff.

According to the affidavit, an emergency medical staff member who attempted to control Jamison, told officers that he had been struck in the face by Jamison, and his uniform shirt had been torn during the altercation. Despite repeated commands from officers to cease his behavior, Jamison allegedly continued to fight, shouting profanities and threatening to assault the officers.

An officer from the Huntingdon Borough Police reported that Jamison attempted to bite him during the struggle, prompting the officer to strike Jamison in the head twice with a closed fist to gain compliance. According to the affidavit, additional hospital security, EMTs, and other personnel were required to assist in restraining Jamison, who continued to thrash and kick even after being placed in handcuffs.

Due to the severity of his behavior, hospital staff administered a sedative to Jamison, but he continued to resist after initially calming down. Witnesses stated that Jamison had become agitated with nurses before the incident escalated, standing on his bed, making threats, and attempting to bite and spit at those nearby.

According to the affidavit, a security staff member was spat on multiple times during the struggle, with officers observing bloody salvia around his eyes and mouth. Another security staff member was reportedly kneed in the ribs several times and his uniform was torn while trying to gain control of Jamison.

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Police wrote, Jamison’s actions created significant hazards in the emergency room, delaying care for other patients and endangering hospital personnel and responding officers. He was eventually subdued and secured to a hospital bed with restraints.

Following his arrest, Jamison was transported to the Huntingdon County Jail. Bail was set at $50,000, and he remains in custody awaiting a preliminary hearing set for Aug. 28.

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