LOMA LINDA, Calif. (KABC) -- A massive police response erupted at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital on Wednesday evening following reports of a potential shooter, but the situation turned out to be the result of a swatting call, officials confirmed.
According to San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon D. Dicus, the call to 911 came from an individual claiming to be inside the hospital with an AR-15 and explosives, stating he was suffering from a mental health crisis. The caller suggested he had been hearing voices urging him to shoot at the hospital and its patients. "The caller called and said he was armed with an AR-15 and also had a bomb and was suffering from a mental health crisis..." said Dicus.
The chaotic evening began when the hospital alerted authorities shortly after 6 p.m. about reports of the armed individual. Videos from the scene showed at least 200 law enforcement units responding swiftly to the hospital, creating significant traffic congestion nearby. Emergency protocols were activated, and the hospital was placed on lockdown.
Hospitals typically use emergency codes to alert staff and patrons about various threats, and this occasion was no different. According to hospital officials, they issued a Code Silver for active threats, which instructed everyone within the facility to shelter immediately. A text message alert informed individuals on campus and nearby medical buildings to take protective actions: "This is not a drill: Initiate immediate protective actions. If confronted with a threat, RUN, HIDE, FIGHT," the text stated.
The intense police presence continued for several hours as officers combed through the hospital, checking every room to confirm there was no active shooter. Ryan Seip, a 16-year-old patient who was at the hospital during the event, recalled how his surroundings turned frighteningly serious as officers came through. "I got off my bed; they were already using another bed to barricade it..." he recounted, noting the tense atmosphere as everyone awaited resolution.
By 8 p.m., law enforcement began to pull back from the scene. A statement from the Sheriff’s Department confirmed, "At this time, no shots have been heard and no one has been injured." The investigation indicated the initial alarm was due to the swatting prank, which can lead to felony or misdemeanor charges, depending on the circumstances.
Swatting refers to the act of making false reports to invoke police response at specific locations, often with dire and potentially life-threatening consequences. The investigation of this swatting incident remains active, and Sheriff Dicus stated, "The one thing I want this suspect to know is this is the wrong county to do those things in... we don’t play. If there is evidence and we can find you, you watch your door because we’re going to be kicking it."
Authorities confirmed earlier on Wednesday evening, around 6:35 p.m., they were aware of the situation involving possible armed individuals. Teams from various agencies responded due to the immediate risks presented by the call.
During the lockdown, concerned visitors also experienced anxiety. "We noticed there was commotion. Then they evacuated us... it’s traumatizing," stated Teresa Diaz, who visited her husband at the hospital.
By around 7:45 p.m., many of those who had been evacuated were allowed back inside, but with warnings to remain cautious as law enforcement conducted the continued investigation. Individuals needing medical services were advised to seek assistance at nearby facilities, such as Redlands Community Hospital or Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.
While the overall scene had calmed, the swatting call serves as yet another reminder of the grave consequences of such irresponsible actions. A previous swatting incident led to criminal charges for 18-year-old Alan W. Filion, who was sentenced to four years for similar offenses tied to false emergency calls made earlier this year.
Overall, the hospital's routine operations have resumed, but the incident has left both workers and patients rattled. The event highlighted the breadth of the law enforcement response needed for situations evoking fears of active shooter incidents, even when they stem from false reports. Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, which serves around 90,000 patients annually, will continue to support safety measures to prevent such occurrences from happening again.