Green Bay police respond to at Aurora BayCare Medical Center for threat, August 9, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Reports of threats to at least two hospitals in Northeast Wisconsin are being investigated as potential swatting calls, police say.
Just after noon, Green Bay police say they were called to Aurora BayCare Medical Center, 2845 Greenbrier Rd. Officers say they determined a report was “false,” and no threat was found.
The hospital was put on lockdown temporarily while police investigated.
“The safety of our patients, visitors, teammates and physicians is our top priority,” hospital officials said in a statement. “We are grateful to the Green Bay Police department for their swift action and are thankful the threat was unfounded.”
Then, around 12:30 p.m., Appleton police were called to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton, 1818 N. Meade St. The caller claimed to be in the parking lot with an AR-15 rifle, and threatened people in the area.
Police secured the hospital as well as surrounding buildings, including a day care center. They determined there was no threat at the hospital.
ThedaCare released this statement:
ThedaCare is committed to creating a safe environment for our patients, visitors and team members. This ties directly to our mission of improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
Today, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton received phone calls from an individual who made threatening comments toward the campus. Given the nature and severity of these threats, ThedaCare alerted local authorities who responded immediately. The campus and exits were secured while law enforcement investigated the threat. Upon arrival, police found this report to be false and no threat was identified.
We appreciate law enforcement’s quick response and partnership to resolve this matter.
Lt. Megan Cash of the Appleton Police Dept. said police were still investigating where the calls came from, including whether they may have been rerouted from different locations.
Anyone with information about the Green Bay incident is asked to call police at (920) 448-3200 and refer to case number 24-241234. Anonymous tips may be left with Crime Stoppers at(920) 432-7867, online or through the P3 smartphone app.
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