Armed Palms resident threatens to shoot nurse

A 79-year-old resident of the Palms Geriatric Home has been arrested after he armed himself with a gun and threatened to shoot a male nurse attached to the institution.

The pensioner, who is a former prison officer, is a licensed firearm holder, police said.

Police Headquarters say investigation revealed that on Thursday around 20:15hrs, the elderly man and the nurse had a misunderstanding in the ward. As the nurse was walking away, the pensioner confronted him with a gun in his hand and threatened him.

The nurse managed to disarm the resident and summoned the police, who promptly arrived and took possession of the gun.

The former prison officer was arrested and an investigation has been launched.