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Director at Barrow Neurological Institute arrested with rifle at Sky Harbor

A director at the prestigious Barrow Neurological Institute was arrested Friday after police say he carried a rifle into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Dr. Peter Steinmetz, 54, of Tempe, was booked into a Maricopa County jail on suspicion of two counts of disorderly conduct for displaying a deadly weapon, according to Phoenix Police records.
The counts stem from when Steinmetz removed the AR-15 from his shoulder and the muzzle faced toward a woman and her daughter in a waiting area, according to police. Both woman and daughter reported fearing for their safety, police said.
Police said Steinmetz was first observed buying a cup of coffee in the airport with the gun slung over shoulder. Police said Steinmetz walked to the east end of the third-level lobby and stopped in front of the B gates.
When confronted, Steinmetz stated that he only went to the airport to buy a cup of coffee and had no other business there, police said.
Steinmetz is director of the neuroengineering program at the Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, according to the Barrow website.
A statement from Dignity Health's St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center confirmed "that Peter Steinmetz is employed as a researcher with St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. We are aware of the situation and are taking it very seriously. At present this issue is being handled by Human Resources and our policy is not to comment on HR matters."
A man who answered the phone Monday evening at a number listed for Steinmetz said attorneys advised the doctor not to comment on the arrest.
12 News reporter Gia Vang contributed to this article.