Hoax Call Prompts Police Response at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital

LOMA LINDA, Calif. — A reported armed suspect inside Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital resulted in a substantial police presence on Wednesday afternoon, but authorities later determined the call was a hoax.

San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon D. Dicus stated that the 911 call claimed the suspect was inside the hospital armed with an AR-15 and had a bomb. The caller alleged that he was experiencing a mental health crisis and reported hearing voices instructing him to shoot at the patients and facility.

In response to the potential threat, the hospital initiated a Code Silver, placing the facility on lockdown. An alert was sent to students and staff, emphasizing immediate protective actions. “This is not a drill: Initiate immediate protective actions. If confronted with a threat, RUN, HIDE, FIGHT,” the message warned.

Hospital personnel worked quickly to ensure the safety of susceptible young patients. “I don’t feel like I was in the right mind but I knew I had to stay right by them,” recalled one staff member. “There was even family that was locked in, so we were trying to deescalate and care for our patients and also remain calm with our own thoughts. It felt a little overwhelming.”

Nearly 200 law enforcement units responded to the scene, resulting in significant traffic disruptions in the surrounding area. Audio transmissions revealed a description of the alleged suspect as a white male last seen wearing black and carrying a duffel bag, claiming he wanted to shoot individuals within the hospital.

After approximately two hours of intensive searching, law enforcement declared the scene clear, confirming no threat was present. Sheriff Dicus condemned the call as an instance of “swatting,” wherein false reports are made to incite fear and mobilize emergency services. “This appears to be a swatting call, and we will 100% go after the suspects,” Dicus stated. He emphasized the difficulties of tracing such calls due to IP masking, which can obscure the caller’s location.

As patients, visitors, and staff remained in lockdown during the search, many expressed their fears and experiences. “I got off my bed; they were already using another bed to barricade it. They used my bed to barricade the other door too,” said Ryan Seip, a 16-year-old patient present during the crisis. “We were sitting there waiting to see what happened. And then the cops came in with their guns and did a floor sweep.”

The situation had deeply affected families like that of Ryan’s father, Robert Seip. “They’re children, they’re already helpless and they’re sick and broken and trying to heal,” he said. “We could’ve lost our son twice, so we’re trying to fight this, and then they want to come do that. It’s a sick move.”

No injuries were reported, and the hospital was able to resume normal operations once the area was cleared. This incident should serve as a stark reminder of the consequences false claims can invoke, particularly in sensitive locations like a children’s hospital.