Gun-Toting Patient Locks Down NJ Hospital, Police Say

TEANECK, NJ — A man with a gun forced Bergen County hospital staff to shelter in place on Wednesday afternoon, police said.

Joseph A. Hakim, 56, of Dumont was charged with possession of a firearm in a prohibited area and failure to produce proof of a valid handgun permit, said Teaneck Police Chief Andrew McGurr late Wednesday.

Police said that just after 2:30 p.m., the Teaneck police received a 911 call reporting a man with a gun at Holy Name Medical Center on Teaneck Road.

"It was reported that the male had removed a handgun from his person and slammed it on a table," police said.

The hospital was placed on divert and staff were ordered to shelter in place. Police also called a SWAT Team.

Police said that they met with Hakim on the second floor. He acknowledged that he had a 9mm Beretta handgun, police said. He was disarmed without incident, they said.

"When questioned, Mr. Hakim explained that he removed the firearm from a holster during intake procedures prior to a physician's examination," police said. "An investigation revealed that Mr. Hakim had a valid permit to carry a handgun, though he failed to produce proof of a permit."

After he was charged, he was released on a summons, Teaneck police said.

State law prohibits firearms in certain locations, like hospitals, and requires permit holders to be able to produce their carry permit when they're in possession of a firearm, police said.