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Charges laid in Taser incident at Manitoba hospital

A man subdued with a stun gun after allegedly becoming violent at a Manitoba hospital has been charged with several counts of assault and other offences.

The 43-year-old man, from the community of Waywayseecappo, is charged with aggravated assault, two counts of assault, assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, mischief, failure to comply with a recognizance, causing a disturbance and uttering threats.

He remains in custody and will be making a court appearance in Brandon on Jan. 17.

Russell RCMP were called to the local health centre at 5 p.m. CT Tuesday about a man threatening staff and patients.

He had gone to the hospital "seeking medical treatment for unspecified injuries sustained in an early morning snowmobile crash," police said in a news release Wednesday.

A doctor and two nurses were in the middle of treating the man when he attacked them and left the room, according to police.

RCMP also allege that the man attacked a young girl and chased another child in the hospital.

As well, he threatened some elderly patients and others, according to police.

The patient remained "extremely violent" until an RCMP officer used the Taser on him. He was not seriously injured by the stun gun, according to police.

Investigators are trying to determine a motive for the incident, but police say substance abuse is considered to be a contributing factor.