FORT SMITH, Ark. — The Fort Smith Police Department (FSPD) says the Baptist Health-Fort Smith hospital went under a lockdown this morning after a "possible threat."
Multiple people were alerted through a text that warned about an armed intruder.
The text read: "BHMC-Fort Smith Armed Violent intruder. This is not a drill. Evacuate this area and secure in place until further instructions. Location:/LOCKDOWN."
In a release, FSPD said the hospital was placed on lockdown until they checked the area. FSPD confirmed they did not find any threats and "the hospital was released from lockdown."
Official Alicia Agent, with marketing and communications for Baptist Health, responded to the incident with the following statement:
"Baptist Health-Fort Smith went under a brief lockdown Saturday morning because of a potential threat. No injuries were reported."
In a phone call with 5NEWS, Fort Smith police say the original calls came from workers inside the hospital of "a man with a gun."
During the investigation, a sweep of the building found no threats or a person with a gun. Police tell 5NEWS they also looked at video surveillance and did not locate a suspect with a gun. However, police say they continue to investigate.
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