Patients, doctors, and staff at Loma Linda University Medical Center were caught in a terrifying ordeal after a false report of an armed individual inside the hospital triggered a massive police response. Officials have since confirmed that the emergency was a ‘swatting’ call, a malicious hoax designed to provoke panic and a full-scale law enforcement reaction.
Panic and Police Mobilization
The chaos erupted at around 6:15 p.m. on March 12, when the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department received a call claiming that a person with a weapon was inside the hospital. Within minutes, heavily armed deputies stormed the facility, ordering lockdown procedures and evacuations as they searched for a potential threat.
For patients and hospital staff, the situation was nothing short of terrifying. Witnesses described hearing urgent commands from officers, seeing medical teams scrambling to ensure patient safety, and feeling an overwhelming sense of uncertainty.
Loma Linda Hospital pic.twitter.com/nUDih1rlwV
The All-Clear: No Threat Found
After an intense search of the premises, authorities confirmed that no armed individual was present and declared the hospital safe. By then, the false report had already disrupted medical procedures, delayed treatments, and thrown an entire hospital community into unnecessary distress.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department later posted on social media:
“Loma Linda Hospital has been cleared. No injuries have been reported. This incident has been determined to be a ‘swatting’ call.”
UPDATE: Loma Linda Hospital Incident
3/12/25– 8:10PM
Loma Linda Hospital has been cleared. There are no reported injuries, and the incident appears to be a swatting call.
The area will reopen shortly. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.#PublicSafety #CommunityUpdate pic.twitter.com/TqyGV4UWdw
The Dangers of ‘Swatting’ Hoaxes
‘Swatting’ is a dangerous and illegal prank where false emergency calls are made to send SWAT teams or law enforcement to unsuspecting locations. While often dismissed as a childish prank, these incidents can have fatal consequences—with innocent people being wrongly detained, injured, or even killed during aggressive police responses.
Hospitals are particularly vulnerable, as such false alarms can disrupt critical care, delay surgeries, and put lives at risk. Officials emphasized that the Loma Linda swatting hoax diverted emergency resources that could have been needed elsewhere.
Who Made the Call?
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has launched an active investigation to track down the perpetrator of this reckless hoax. Authorities have warned that swatting is a felony, and those responsible could face serious charges, including filing a false police report, creating public panic, and wasting law enforcement resources.
“The one thing I want this suspect to know is this is the highest priority for us,” said a department spokesperson.
Community Outrage and Calls for Stricter Punishment
The swatting incident has left many in the Loma Linda community furious. Hospital employees and residents have demanded harsher penalties for anyone caught making these false reports. Many are asking how such a disruptive hoax could happen at a major medical center and whether stricter protocols should be in place to prevent future incidents.
“This isn’t a joke. People’s lives were at risk. This needs to stop,” said one hospital worker who experienced the lockdown firsthand.
What Happens Next?
Authorities are continuing their search for the suspect, and hospital officials are reviewing security protocols to prepare for any future threats—real or hoaxed. Meanwhile, the Loma Linda community is demanding justice, hoping that whoever is behind the call will be held accountable for putting countless lives at risk.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.