Doctor held at knife point at medical center

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BLAINE, Tenn. (AP) - Authorities in East Tennessee say a man held a doctor at knifepoint at a medical center in Blaine, Tenn., before being subdued.

Grainger County Sheriff Scott Layel said 55-year-old Dr. John Neece of Knoxville received superficial injuries before authorities rescued him Tuesday in an examining room at the Blaine Medical Center/Cherokee Health Systems.

Layel said authorities attempted to negotiate with 34-year-old Verne Evart Long of Morristown before deciding to force their way into the room about 25 minutes after the standoff began.

The sheriff said Wednesday evening that Long had an altercation with his wife in the center lobby and took the doctor hostage while still upset.

Long, who was slightly injured, faces charges of especially aggravated assault, especially aggravated kidnapping, resisting arrest, assault on an officer and vandalism.

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Doctor held at knife point at medical center - WKRN, Nashville News, Nashville Weather and Sports

Doctor held at knife point at medical center

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