Man goes on rampage inside U. health facility

A man accused of attacking three University of Utah healthcare employees and creating an ugly scene inside their office was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail.

A man walked into the Utah Diabetes Center at the University of Utah, 615 Arapeen Drive (2120 East), about 4:20 p.m. Monday and started yelling, said University of Utah Police Chief Scott Folsom.

"The suspect started using vulgar language, screaming obscenities," Folsom said.

As doctors, nurses and hospital staff responded to see what was happening, the man became more violent. One nurse was hit in the shoulder, another had to deflect a punch as the man was swinging for her head, he said. A doctor was also punched in the arm several times.

The suspect continued to yell and pulled down his pants, twice, exposing himself, Folsom said. The rampage continued when the man pulled a phone cord out, threw papers around the room and ripped out the suggestion box, he said.

When officers arrived, the man had calmed down and was sitting in the waiting room. He was taken into custody without further incident.

Anthony Descoteaux, 20, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of three counts of assault against a school employee, lewdness, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

— Pat Reavy