MARION, Ill.---As if Marion hasn't had its share of wild news stories this week, here's yet another.
An elderly gunman brought things to a standstill Tuesday afternoon (April 21) when one Gola R. Eckles, 74, was in the parking lot at Heartland Regional Medical Center hospital on the west side of Marion with a handgun...and involved in a confrontation.
Marion police indicated in a news release that Eckles drove his car in front of a person who would become his alleged victim, this as the victim was attempting to park in the parking lot.
The victim, who remained unnamed, got out of his car to confront Eckles; and when he did, the elderly Eckles pulled a revolver from his pocket, pointed it at the victim and told the victim "he was going to kill him," according to the police news release.
Eckles then drove from the scene but was shortly arrested following a traffic stop. Eckles gave consent to search the vehicle, and upon this, police said they found a black revolver in the trunk. Eckles was arrested on suspicion of Aggravated Assault with a Handgun.
Reports from those in the area indicate the hospital was placed on lockdown for a short time.
More as we get it; check back frequently.