A 42-year-old man is being held on a $75,000 bond after police say he attacked a nurse and a hospital security guard at White River Medical Center on Christmas Eve.
Reggienald Holmes faces two counts of second-degree battery, a Class D felony, according to a probable cause affidavit seeking a warrant for his arrest. The incident was reported Dec. 24 in the hospital’s emergency room.
Police said an officer responded to a call about a nurse being assaulted by a patient. Hospital staff told police that Holmes struck a female nurse in the face, knocking her to the ground and fracturing several of her ribs. Staff members then restrained Holmes until officers arrived.
The nurse told police she was checking another patient’s vital signs when Holmes struck her on the side of the head without warning. She said the blow knocked her to the floor and caused her ear to bleed.
A hospital security guard told police he was called to assist after the assault and was injured while restraining Holmes as the patient continued swinging at staff members. Police said hospital surveillance video shows Holmes running down a hallway and striking the nurse with significant force, causing her feet to leave the ground.
Both the nurse and the security guard were treated at the medical center for their injuries. Holmes is being held at the Independence County Jail pending further court proceedings.
Reggienald Holmes
Image: Independence County Sheriff’s Office
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ every weekday morning and afternoon. White River Now updates are also aired on weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5. Catch CBS News around the top of every hour on 1340 KBTA.
