BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Officers with the Bakersfield Police Department responded to a report of an active shooter at Memorial Hospital just after 1:36 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4.
Within two minutes of the call reported, units secured the area and found that there was no evidence of a shooting and no injuries were reported.
All patients were accounted for and the hospital lockdown was lifted by 4:15 p.m.
Investigators learned that the hospital operator internally disseminated the emergency alert after receiving a phone call from an unidentified male subject who reported an active shooter within the facility.
According to police, it was determined that the phone call was made within the hospital to which the hospital immediately called and reported the situation to BPD. When officers arrived, anither reporting party called in to BPD to report possible gunshots heard in the parking lot north of the emergency room.
Officers were unable to locate any evidence of a shooting incide or outside of the hospital and no ther reports of shots fired were reported.
Several local agencies responded to the area to assist with the investigation. Those agencies includeed CHP, Bakersfield Fire, Hall Ambulance, CHP and Kern County Emergency Medical Services.
This investigation is ongoing, anyone with information is asked to call BPD at (661) 327-7111.
Officers with Bakersfield Police say that there are no injuries reported in the possible active shooter incident and that there is no evidence of a shooting. Officials have said that lockdowns are now lifted at the hospital.
Roads have reopened in the area according to Bakersfield Police.
Update- The hospital lockdown has been lifted. No injuies and no evidence of a shooting. Follow up is still being conducted at this time. The roads are still closed in the area but should be open shortly. Press statement in approx 20 minutes.
— Bakersfield Police (@bakersfieldpd) December 5, 2018
Law enforcement was alerted of the possibility of an active shooter at Memorial Hospital in Central Bakersfield at around 1:30 p.m.
Kern County Fire has asked that people avoid the area at this time.
BPD responded to report of an active shooter at Memorial Hospital at 1:36 p.m. At this time no injuries reported and no evidence of a shooting. Officers still clearing the hospital. Reminder to the public to stay clear of the area. Updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/u32ugFGaBk
— Bakersfield Police (@bakersfieldpd) December 4, 2018
Memorial Hospital has released a statement, saying that they are working with local law enforcement to respond to a safety threat.
Memorial Hospital is working with local law enforcement to respond to a safety threat. The safety of our patients and staff is of the utmost priority. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
— MercyMemorialHosp (@Mercy_Memorial) December 4, 2018
For those with loved ones in Memorial Hospital, all patients and hospital staff are accounted for and sheltered in place. We will post updates as we have them.
— MercyMemorialHosp (@Mercy_Memorial) December 4, 2018
Lockdowns were initiated at local elementary schools and they have since been lifted.
The Bakersfield City School District has said that Stella Hills Elementary is no longer on lockdown as of 2:59 p.m. and Longfellow Elementary is no longer on lockdown as of 3:08 p.m.
As first responders continue to investigate we would like to ask for all to avoid streets in and around Memorial Hospital. pic.twitter.com/Kr5nyaYCpg
— Kern County Fire (@kerncountyfire) December 4, 2018
A perimeter has been set up and traffic in the area is being affected.
In response to the activity at Memorial Hospital, Adventist Health tells 23ABC that their hospital is on lockdown, but are seeing patients. According to Adventist, the lockdown is standard precaution.
