On the evening of March 12, 2025, at approximately 6:06 PM, an unidentified male placed a call to a non-911 dispatcher stating that he was hearing voices instructing him to harm the children at Loma Linda University (LLU) Children’s Hospital. During the call, he claimed to have entered the hospital armed with an AR-15 rifle and a bomb.
Within minutes, LLU called a code silver signifying an active threat. A university-wide alert was sent to all students, faculty, and staff, warning of a reported armed assailant in the pediatric emergency department. The message emphasized: “This is not a drill,” urging everyone to take immediate protective action.
Deputies stationed on campus were the first to respond, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department quickly requested additional SWAT resources due to the size and complexity of the medical campus. Upon arrival, law enforcement swiftly initiated security protocols, securing all hospital entrances and surrounding streets. Officers were stationed on every floor, systematically clearing the hospital room by room as part of their standard procedure.
Heavily-armed members of law enforcement swarm Loma Linda University Health.
As the situation unfolded, family members, hospital employees, and concerned onlookers gathered outside, anxiously awaiting updates. Some employees who had been ordered to evacuate recalled the terrifying moment they were told to flee. One hospital worker, whose department bordered the pediatric emergency room, recounted being instructed to simply: “Just run.”
Many outside desperately tried to stay in contact with their loved ones who were still inside the hospital.
“My friends are hiding in a closet,” one onlooker shared.
Nearby, two sisters spoke frantically on the phone, pleading with their mother to stay quiet, their voices filled with fear.
Many outside desperately tried to stay in contact with their loved ones who were still inside the hospital.
“My friends are hiding in a closet,” one onlooker shared.
Nearby, two sisters spoke frantically on the phone, pleading with their mother to stay quiet, their voices filled with fear.
A screen capture from CBS News footage shows extensive law enforcement presence around LLUH.
After thoroughly clearing the hospital—floor by floor, room by room—law enforcement determined there was no active shooter and no victims. The threat turned out to be a swatting call—a hoax designed to provoke a massive emergency response.
In a press release, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon D. Dicus condemned the act, describing it as a misuse of emergency resources, a serious disruption to critical medical care and the cause of unnecessary fear and trauma for hospital staff, patients, and their families.
“This is the wrong county to do those things in,” Dicus warned. “If we find evidence leading to you, you better watch your door because we will be kicking it in.”
Despite being a false alarm, Dicus commended the swift, coordinated response of law enforcement, first responders, and hospital staff. He also acknowledged the outpouring of support from agencies in surrounding counties, including Riverside, with between 100 and 200 officers involved in the emergency action. Hospital employees demonstrated remarkable courage and preparedness, barricading patients in rooms and following emergency protocols to ensure everyone’s safety.
Authorities are now working to identify the caller. Although Dicus noted the challenges involved in cases like these, where the caller often uses IP addresses—sometimes from outside the U.S. to mask their identity—he expressed that investigators have already gathered critical evidence and are pursuing leads.
The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, in collaboration with federal agencies, including the Riverside FBI, is committed to tracking down those responsible for the hoax and holding them accountable for the state of crisis they caused.
While this incident could have been far more tragic, the bravery and preparedness of hospital staff, law enforcement, and university personnel ensured that potential harm was minimized. Authorities remain determined to prevent future hoaxes and prosecute those who endanger public safety with false threats.
After thoroughly clearing the hospital—floor by floor, room by room—law enforcement determined there was no active shooter and no victims. The threat turned out to be a swatting call—a hoax designed to provoke a massive emergency response.
In a press release, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon D. Dicus condemned the act, describing it as a misuse of emergency resources, a serious disruption to critical medical care and the cause of unnecessary fear and trauma for hospital staff, patients, and their families.
“This is the wrong county to do those things in,” Dicus warned. “If we find evidence leading to you, you better watch your door because we will be kicking it in.”
Despite being a false alarm, Dicus commended the swift, coordinated response of law enforcement, first responders, and hospital staff. He also acknowledged the outpouring of support from agencies in surrounding counties, including Riverside, with between 100 and 200 officers involved in the emergency action.
Authorities are now working to identify the caller. Although Dicus noted the challenges involved in cases like these, where the caller often uses IP addresses—sometimes from outside the U.S. to mask their identity—he expressed that investigators have already gathered critical evidence and are pursuing leads.
The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, in collaboration with federal agencies, including the Riverside FBI, is committed to tracking down those responsible for the hoax and holding them accountable for the state of crisis they caused.
While this incident could have been far more tragic, the bravery and preparedness of hospital staff, law enforcement, and university personnel ensured that potential harm was minimized. Authorities remain determined to prevent future hoaxes and prosecute those who endanger public safety with false threats.
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