Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau locked down after threat of violence

Update, Friday, Dec. 4, 10:30 a.m. The lockdown at Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau was lifted at about 10:15 p.m. Thursday, according to hospital spokeswoman Katie Bausler.

“The Juneau Police Department made contact with the individual who made the threat and determined it was not credible,” Bausler said in an email.

Bausler said no crime was committed, according to the District and City attorneys offices.

Original story:

Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau was placed under a temporary lockdown Thursday following a threat of gun violence made to its emergency department employees, the hospital said in a statement.

The threat was made by “an individual known to be violent,” the hospital said Thursday afternoon.

Hospital spokeswoman Katie Bausler later clarified by email that the person had been a patient in the emergency department.

The hospital and Juneau police were searching for the individual in order to “determine the credibility of the threat,” the hospital said. Juneau police were also at the hospital in addition to security officers.

The hospital said it would closely screen its patients and visitors until the lockdown was lifted.

Bausler said that the hospital sent the statement alerting the public to the situation out of “an abundance of caution.”

The hospital’s COVID-19 visitor policy “only allows patients and their one allowed accompanying visitor,” Bausler said. “All buildings are locked and security staff escort patients and visitors at the two patient entry points: the front entrance and the emergency department.”