LOMA LINDA, Calif. – Authorities responded to a reported active shooter situation at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital on Wednesday evening, a scenario that was later deemed to be a swatting call, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
The incident began at approximately 6 p.m. when a male suspect called a non-emergency line, claiming he was armed with an AR-15 and explosives. He said he intended to kill people inside the hospital. The individual also stated he was experiencing a mental health crisis, triggering an immediate and large-scale response from law enforcement.
“A Code Silver was initiated by the hospital, placing the facility on lockdown,” Sheriff Shannon D. Dicus explained during a press briefing.
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A text message warning of an active threat was distributed to students and employees across the medical campus, instructing them to “RUN, HIDE, FIGHT” if confronted, reports ABC7.
Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Placed on Lockdown in Response to Swatting Incident
Meanwhile, hospital staff worked quickly to protect the 364-bed hospital’s young patients, ensuring that doors were locked and everyone remained securely sheltered. Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital serves approximately 90,000 patients annually.
About 200 law enforcement units were dispatched to the scene to respond to the swatting call, creating gridlocked traffic in the surrounding area as authorities worked to clear the facility. Sheriff’s deputies methodically swept the premises to ensure the safety of staff, patients, and visitors.
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By 8 p.m., authorities announced the scene was clear, confirming no shots had been fired and there was no actual threat. Sheriff Dicus later confirmed it was a hoax call, categorizing the event as a “swatting” incident. Swatting refers to a malicious act where callers falsely report emergencies to provoke police SWAT teams to respond.
The investigation into the suspect’s identity is ongoing, with authorities working to trace the false call. They emphasized that individuals involved in such criminal acts face severe penalties.
