On Wednesday, a false report of an armed suspect at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital led to a large police response. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that the incident was a “swatting call,” a dangerous prank that causes unnecessary panic and police involvement.
Sheriff Shannon Dicus stated that the caller claimed to be armed with an AR-15 and a bomb, and was experiencing a mental health crisis. This prompted the hospital to issue a Code Silver, locking down the facility and sending a text alert to students and staff to take protective actions. Hospital staff worked to protect patients, while law enforcement cleared the building floor by floor.
ABC7 reported that nearly 200 law enforcement units responded, causing traffic gridlock. The scene was declared safe two hours later, with no evidence of a threat found. Sheriff Dicus vowed to pursue those responsible for the hoax, noting that suspects often mask their IP addresses, making them difficult to trace.
A NewsNation article highlighted that swatting is illegal and those caught face criminal charges. The hospital resumed normal operations after the scene was cleared, and no injuries were reported.
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers and consequences of swatting calls, which can cause significant distress and divert emergency resources. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate the source of the call.
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