Brawl erupts among hospital patient’s visitors, then one pulls gun, NC cops say

Visiting hours turned violent at a North Carolina hospital when a man pulled a gun and began beating a woman in the head, according to investigators.

It happened just before 9:30 a.m. Sunday, July 20, at UNC Health Blue Ridge in Morganton and investigators have not released a motive.

“The suspect and the victim were both visitors of the same patient when the altercation occurred. According to the victim and witness statements, the suspect, identified as Jason Scott Inman, 44, drew a handgun and pointed it at the victim while making threats,” Morganton officials reported in a news release.

“Inman then began to strike the female victim in the head with the handgun, causing head trauma that required treatment. Inman then fled.”

A search was launched and surveillance video revealed the suspect left the property.

The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office located him in Lenoir and made an arrest at a home about 25 miles northeast of the hospital, officials said.

The identity of the victim and details of her injuries have not been released.

Inman has been charged with:

• Felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill
• Felony assault with a deadly weapon Inflicting serious injury
• Misdemeanor assault by pointing a gun
• Misdemeanor communicating threats
• Misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon
• Misdemeanor going armed to the terror of the people

Bond was set at $150,000, officials said.

Morganton is about a 75-mile drive northwest of Charlotte.

This story was originally published July 21, 2025 at 7:25 AM with the headline "Brawl erupts among hospital patient’s visitors, then one pulls gun, NC cops say."