Authorities believe a report of an armed man at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital was a hoax, triggering a massive response from law enforcement. Around 100 to 200 officers, backed by police helicopters, rushed to the scene after a call indicated a man with an AR-15 rifle and a bomb was threatening the emergency department. Initial reports prompted evacuations, but by 8 p.m., officials confirmed there were no injuries or shots fired, categorizing the incident as a “swatting” call.
San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus emphasized the seriousness of such false reports, noting that they distract law enforcement from genuine emergencies. As agents continue their investigation to identify the suspect, who remains elusive due to methods of masking their location, Dicus issued a stark warning: “This is the wrong county to do those things in.” The disruption led to patients temporarily going without care as officers cleared the facility, underlining the significant impact of swatting incidents on community resources.
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