Alleged California children's hospital shooting threat deemed a hoax: Sheriff

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - Chaos unfolded at a children's hospital in Southern California after the building was at the center of an alleged mass shooting threat.

What we know:

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department responded to a call of a possibly armed person at the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital along Anderson Street in Loma Linda on Wedesday, March 12.

Deputies cleared out the hospital as part of the investigation, but no one found any evidence that a shooting broke out. San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said the alleged threat was deemed a hoax.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department later announced that no one was hurt in the non-shooting.

Prior to the news of the scene getting safely cleared, the hospital issued the following statement:

"Law enforcement has responded to the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Emergency Department. It is an active investigation and all media inquiries can be directed to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department PIO."

Suspect alleged he was hearing voices

What they're saying:

An official with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said the following in the statement:

"Dispatch received a call from an individual who said he was at LL Children’s Hospital.  He said he was hearing voices that told him to kill people.  A massive response from the sheriff’s department and other agencies in the Inland Empire ensued.  Our deputies were inside the hospital within minutes of the call and cleared all levels after about 2 hours.  It was determined to be a swatting call and the investigation is ongoing.  No injuries reported, no shots fired reported, and no suspect(s) were located."

What we don't know:

It is unknown who started the possible gunman reports, but deputies believe it was a swatting call. The search for the suspect continues. 

What is swatting?

Swatting is when someone either starts a hoax or spreads fake rumors that would draw heavy police presence. Swatting is illegal and those who get caught doing it will face criminal charges.