Mental patient throws exit sign, breaks security officer’s jaw, documents say

An angry Western State Hospital patient threw an exit sign at a security officer and broke his jaw, records show.

Pierce County prosecutors charged the 29-year-old with second-degree assault in the March 10 attack at the Lakewood mental health hospital.

He is to undergo a competency hearing May 22.

According to charging papers:

Security officers were summoned to the man’s room after he became “agitated” and ripped down a large exit sign.

When the victim turned his head to speak with fellow officers, the patient hurled the sign at the officer and hit him in the face.

The victim suffered a fractured jaw and lost several teeth. He was taken to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery and had his jaw wired shut.

The patient has at least 10 prior felony convictions, records show.

This story was originally published May 1, 2017 at 8:20 AM with the headline "Mental patient throws exit sign, breaks security officer’s jaw, documents say."