Police release details on ECRMC lockdown
This past Tuesday, the El Centro Regional Medical Center, went on lockdown. According to the El Centro Police Press Release, “officers responded to a report of threats made at the El Centro Regional Medical Center by a patient that had been treated during the early morning hours. The subject was no longer on scene when the officers arrived. Efforts made to locate the individual responsible for making the threats included assistance from law enforcement officers from neighboring jurisdictions. These efforts were unsuccessful.”
After speaking with the medical centers Chief Executive Officer Dr. Adolphe Edwards, he said that, “protocol, is for us to make sure the staff and patients, are secured right away. and that why we go down to a single control points. We posted our security guards there. We were in contact with the police department, and I know that a couple of my senior staff members were also in contact with the FBI, to ensure that everybody was notified. I’m delighted to tell the community that with the police force that we have, and with the great Mayor El Centro, I can’t thank them enough for the quick response. I think the community is in great hands. And we are here to serve the community. And I want to make sure that our mission is to take care of the people that need us and we need to continue on to care for the population.”
After another call was placed this morning, the press release also stated that “the initial information, which proved to be false, indicated there was an active shooter at the location. Officer arrived immediately and determined there was no active shooter and no immediate threat to the public. “
The suspect who made the threats the previous day was sighted again at the medical center but police say, “officers from the agency continue to look for the suspect in an effort to question his intentions and obtain additional information.”
With the suspect still on the loose, the medical center remains on lockdown but officials there say that patient and staff safety remain their number one priority.
