Teaneck, NJ – A man was arrested Wednesday afternoon after bringing a loaded handgun into Holy Name Medical Center, prompting a temporary lockdown and S.W.A.T. notification, police said.
Around 2:33 p.m., officers responded to a 911 call reporting a man had removed a firearm and slammed it on a table inside the hospital at 718 Teaneck Road. Hospital officials immediately placed the facility on divert status and ordered a shelter-in-place while notifying the Bergen County Regional S.W.A.T. Team.
Security directed responding officers to the second floor, where they encountered Joseph A. Hakim. Police said Hakim cooperated, admitted to carrying a loaded 9mm Beretta, and was disarmed without incident.
Hakim told officers he had removed the weapon from his holster during intake procedures before a doctor’s exam. Investigators determined he did hold a valid permit to carry but failed to produce proof at the time. Under New Jersey law, firearms are banned in designated sensitive locations, including hospitals, and permit holders must carry documentation.
Hakim was charged with possession of a firearm in a prohibited area and failure to produce proof of a valid handgun permit.
