Lamar mother, son arrested on felony charges after bomb threat forces evacuation of Cox Barton County Hospital

(From the Lamar Police Department)

On March 4, 2020, the Barton County 911 Center was notified of a bomb threat at Cox Barton County Hospital.

The Lamar Police Department responded along with assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Barton County Sheriff's Department.

After conferring with executive staff, the decision was made to evacuate the hospital.

The evacuation and relocation of patients was turned over to the Barton County Ambulance District, which was handled with assistance from other agencies, Vernon County Ambulance District, Crawford County Kansas Ambulance and Metro Emergency Transport  Systems (METS) out of Joplin.

Cox staff and security along with law enforcement and the Lamar Fire Department conducted a search of the building. No suspicious items or explosive devices were found.

Through a cooperative effort with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri Information Analysis Center, we were able to identify a suspect in making the call.

The suspect and other persons of interest were later located on a traffic stop by the Lamar Police Department and the Barton County Sheriff's Department.







As a result of interviews conducted in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation two suspects have been arrested for making terroristic threats and are currently in custody at the Barton County Jail awaiting formal charges.

Jason A. Gates, 40, and his mother, Terrie R. Walker, 61, both of Lamar, were arrested. The investigation is ongoing.

No information is currently being released as to the motive. More information will be released as it becomes available.

(Note: The Barton County Prosecuting Attorney's office has filed felony terroristic threat charges against Gates and Walker.)