Emergency at Loma Linda hospital result of ‘swatting call,’ officials say
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department responded to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Wednesday evening following reports of a possible shooter. By 8 p.m., the massive law enforcement presence that swarmed on the hospital was beginning to pack up and leave as the facility was being cleared and no threat was immediately discovered. “Law enforcement is actively clearing Loma Linda Hospital,” the Sheriff’s Department wrote on social media. “At this time, no shots have been heard, and no one has been injured.” Officials later said the initial reports of an active shooter stemmed from a “swatting call,” a dangerous and illegal prank in which a caller claims there is a life-threatening emergency at a specific location, leading to a large police response. Earlier Wednesday night, the Sheriff’s Department released a statement via social media around 6:35 p.m. in which it said it was aware of reports of a “possible armed individual.” Loma Linda University Health later confirmed that authorities had responded to the hospital as part of an “active investigation.” A massive law enforcement presence surrounds Loma Linda hospital following reports of an armed shooter