Concerns about an active shooter at Newman Regional Health on Thursday were unfounded.
Emporia Police Capt. Ray Mattas says officers received a report of an active shooter alarm at the hospital just before 4:20 pm, prompting responses from officers, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, ESU Police and Safety, Kansas Highway Patrol, Coffey County Sheriff’s Office and Emporia Fire. Law enforcement had a static presence at the hospital’s entrances as well as other units circling the campus before beginning a roughly two-hour search involving the hospital and nearby medical buildings.
Mattas says there was no evidence of a shooter or any sort of threat. Instead, both Mattas and Newman Regional Health Public Information Officer Steven Bazan say the cause was an unspecified malfunction of an emergency switch.
Bazan also says there was no evidence of any shots fired. All patients and staff were confirmed as safe shortly before 7 pm.
Family members seeking information about patients can call 620-343-6800 to get routed to their patients.
Bazan thanked Emporia Police and the Newman Regional Health security team for their work. He also says hospital staff demonstrated the effectiveness of its emergency training and preparedness measures.
5:30 pm
Things are getting back to normal at Newman Regional Health after an alarm triggered a heavy law enforcement presence Thursday afternoon.
Update: 5:20 pm from Christine Torrens, Communications Manager with the City of Emporia
“This evening, EPD responded to an active shooter alarm at Newman Regional Health.
Officers thoroughly searched the premises, and it appears to be an alarm only — no active threat has been identified. Please continue to use caution in the area while we remain on scene.”
5:20 pm Thursday: Heavy law enforcement presence underway at Newman Regional Health
A heavy law enforcement presence continues at Newman Regional Health after an alarm was triggered at the hospital late Thursday afternoon.
Newman Regional Health Public Information Officer Steven Bazan says an active shooter alarm was triggered around 4:20 pm. Emporia Police and Lyon County deputies responded promptly and officers are in the middle of what Bazan calls “a full sweep.” Staffers and patients are being released from the hospital building in an orderly fashion as the hospital works through its safety protocols.
Police Chief Ed Owens says there is no evidence of an active shooter, but officers continue the sweep as a precaution for the public. Several nearby buildings, including SOS, are on lockdown as the situation unfolds.
Bazan says phone lines are not available for family inquiries but a special dedicated phone line will be offered later. Updates will also be posted on the hospital’s website, newmanrh.org, as they are available.
KVOE News reporter Alex Benzegala contributed to this report
