A 42-year-old man has been arrested after authorities say he placed a suspicious duffle bag inside a hospital parking garage, prompting a bomb scare that temporarily disrupted operations and led to the evacuation of portions of a Gastonia medical facility.
According to court records and the Gastonia Police Department, the incident occurred Friday night at CaroMont Regional Medical Center, where law enforcement and hospital staff responded to what was initially believed to be a possible explosive threat.
Suspicious Package Reported at Hospital
Police said officers were dispatched to CaroMont Regional Medical Center at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday after receiving reports of a suspicious package in the hospital’s parking garage.
Because of concerns that the bag could contain an explosive device, emergency procedures were immediately put into effect while authorities assessed the situation.
Hospital officials said patient and staff safety remained their top priority throughout the response.
Birthplace and NICU Evacuated as Precaution
According to hospital officials, The Birthplace, which includes maternity services, was safely evacuated as a precaution while law enforcement investigated the suspicious package.
Court documents indicate that both the childbirth center and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) were evacuated for several hours during the incident.
Hospital spokespersons emphasized that the evacuation was carried out carefully and that patient care continued elsewhere in the facility without interruption.
Officials stated:
“Out of an abundance of caution, patients and staff in The Birthplace were safely relocated while the package was assessed.”
Investigation Determined Bag Was Not Dangerous
Authorities later determined that the suspicious duffle bag did not contain any explosives or hazardous materials.
According to court records, the bag contained an assortment of electronic devices and miscellaneous items, rather than any actual weapon or explosive.
After the investigation concluded the package posed no threat, normal hospital operations resumed.
Hospital officials said:
“Working with law enforcement, the package was determined to pose no threat, and normal operations resumed.”
Man Accused of Creating Bomb Hoax
Investigators identified 42-year-old Konstantinos Papazoglou as the individual responsible for placing the bag inside the parking garage.
According to the arrest warrant, authorities allege Papazoglou intentionally left the duffle bag in a manner that would cause hospital security personnel and responding officers to believe it was a weapon of mass destruction or explosive device.
The alleged act triggered an extensive emergency response involving hospital staff and law enforcement agencies.
Criminal Charges Filed
Following the investigation, Papazoglou was arrested and charged with:
- Interfering with hospital operations
- Weapon of mass destruction hoax device
Authorities have not released additional details regarding a possible motive behind the incident.
Police Cite Ongoing Mental Health Crisis
The Gastonia Police Department stated that Papazoglou has a documented history of an ongoing mental health crisis.
Officials have not indicated whether mental health concerns played a role in the incident, and no additional information about his condition has been released.
Hospital Praises Emergency Response
CaroMont Regional Medical Center thanked hospital employees and first responders for their coordinated handling of the situation.
Hospital officials stressed that patients, visitors, and staff were never placed in danger, adding that emergency protocols worked as intended.
In a statement, the hospital said:
“At no time were patients or staff in danger, and patient care continued without interruption elsewhere in the facility. The safety of our patients, visitors and staff is always our highest priority, and we are grateful to our teams and first responders for their swift, coordinated response.”
Investigation Continues
The case remains under investigation by the Gastonia Police Department. Authorities have not announced whether additional charges could be filed.
As with all criminal cases, the allegations against Konstantinos Papazoglou are accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
