A Montgomery hospital went on lockdown Wednesday morning following a phoned threat to shoot staff, authorities said.
Montgomery VA Hospital Police Chief David Agee said the hospital’s suicide prevention coordinators received a call shortly after 9:30 a.m. from a man who said he was going to come to the hospital, shott VA staff and then himself.
He said he was armed with an AR-15 and a .45-caliber handgun.
The Perry Road facility went into immediate lockdown while police tried to keep everyone at the hospital safe and determine the safety and well-being of the caller, Agee said.
Montgomery police, Montgomery County sheriff’s deputies and State Bureau of Investigation agents also responded to the scene.
At noon, the chief said, investigators determined the caller was at his home. He was taken into custody and to an undisclosed medical facility for further evaluation.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officials late Wednesday night identified the suspect 61-year-old Michael Barnett of Camp Hill. Barnett is charged with making a terroristic threat and rendering false alarm to a hospital.
He was booked into the Montgomery County Jail with bond set at $18,000.
Hospital Chief of Staff Dr. Kittra Owens described the suspect as a “humanitarian,” who at some point had previously been seen at the hospital.
“Our priority here is to evaluate and treat veterans but it does not mean from time to time a veteran may come to our facility and they may have a family member within that needs aid,’’ Owens said.
“We may also have an individual who walks in and presents to our emergency room in medical crisis or an individual who served in military but did not meet criteria on active duty to be deemed as a veteran,’’ she said. “They are designated as humanitarians.”
“We’re a part of this community,’’ Owens said. “Our intent is to not turn our backs on anyone who is need in of aid.”
She did not elaborate.
Multiple news reports surfaced early of an active shooting at the hospital.
A short time later, City of Montgomery Chief of Staff Chip Hill said he had spoken with police leadership and they assured him that no one on site was found with a gun.
“No one is injured. No one was shot. MPD is supporting their federal counterparts who are still following up on the initial reports,” Hill said.
There was a heavy police presence at the hospital for a time. But police left the entrances to the hospital by about noon, allowing traffic freely into and out of the campus.
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