UPDATE: Emporia Police respond to shooting call, appears to be alarm only

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EMPORIA, Kan. (WIBW) - The Emporia Police Department (EPD) stated that officers responded to an active shooter alarm at Newman Regional Health.

Officers searched the premises, and it appears to be an alarm only.

Officials say no active threat has been identified.

The EPD completed a thorough search of Newman Regional Health and found no evidence of an active shooter. Officers conducted a thorough search of the hospital and adjacent medical facilities for approximately two hours. No evidence of a shooter or any threat was found. Further investigation revealed that the alarm was triggered by a malfunctioning emergency switch.

Officials said at 7:23 p.m. that the scene is clear and the EPD is no longer at the hospital.

The EPD stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Offiers Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Emporia State University Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol, and Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the scene. In addition, the Emporia Fire Department also provided support.

“At approximately 4:15 PM today, an active shooter alarm was triggered at our facility, initiating our emergency response protocols. We are currently still operating under our drill response. At this time, there has been no communication or indication of any activity consistent with active shooter event other than the law enforcement response. The alarm switch that was pulled activated the protocol, and the Emporia Police Department remains on site, actively sweeping and scanning the building. Officers are escorting departments and individuals out of the facility in an orderly and controlled manner. All staff and patients are safe and continuing to follow protocol. For families seeking information: Phone lines are currently unavailable as our team remains engaged in the response. A designated phone line will be provided for family inquiries. Updates will also be posted on our website as they become available. We will release a full statement once all details have been confirmed.”
Statement from Steven Bazan, Newman Health Public Information Officer