A Boardman man accused of holding someone up at gunpoint at a Boardman hotel and was later found waving a gun on South Avenue after allegedly firing several shots has been deemed not competent to stand trial by a Mahoning Court judge on Oct. 18.

Richard Armstrong, 44, is facing charges of aggravated robbery, abduction, felonious assault, having a weapon while under disability, tampering with evidence and discharging a firearm near a prohibited premise.

A judgement entry from the Mahoning County Court states that Armstrong is not competent to stand trial and adds that it is unclear if Armstrong will become competent to stand trial if offered treatment. 

According to a police report, Armstrong followed a person into the Days Inn Hotel on South Avenue and forced them into their hotel room at gunpoint.

The victim told police that at one point, Armstrong had two pistols pointed at his head.

According to the report, the victim offered Armstrong money, but Armstrong did not take any.

Eventually, the victim was able to leave the hotel room and contacted Boardman Police.

About an hour later, police were then alerted by construction workers on South Avenue to a man waving a gun in the middle of the road near the Best Driving School.

Police say they then found Armstrong heading into the woods behind a nearby carwash, yelling that he "didn't have a gun."

Police were then able to apprehend Armstrong without incident.

Witnesses near the scene then told police that before they arrived, Armstrong had allegedly fired four shots at a dark green SUV.

Witnesses told police that the SUV had driven away, and police later recovered two spent shell casings from South Avenue and a handgun.

Police also recovered a loaded magazine, several cigars, miscellaneous cash, a hotel room key, and an I.D. belonging to the victim held at gunpoint.

Since 2020, the court has deemed Armstrong not competent to stand trial.

Armstrong has been ordered to remain in a mental health facility for up to a year, after which the court will once again review his competency.